Helena Abrantes comments on allegations that Boughton misled the public about city's role in the ICE raid at Kennedy Park. 2007 Chamber of Commerce Mayoral Debate. Photo by CTBlogger
This past week, I had the opportunity to interview 2nd Ward Democratic City Council candidate Helena Abrantes and talk to her about her campaign. For those who don't recall, Abrantes was the 2007 mayoral candidate who faced off against Mark Boughton during a time when the mayor was under fire for comments he made regarding the city's role in the immigration raid at Kennedy Park (more commonly known as the Danbury 11 case).
Although Boughton stated repeatedly that Danbury played no role in the ICE undercover sting operation against day laborers, during her run for mayor court documents showed that Danbury Police did played a significant role in the raid.
Four years after her run for mayor, Abrantes gave her thoughts on the case including what we learned from Boughton's deposition in the matter, as well as the city's decision to settle the matter.
You will be able to view my interview with Abrantes in full soon...
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On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of aday laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
The amended complaint states that plaintiffs sought to remedy the continued discriminatory and unauthorized enforcement of federal immigration laws against the Latino residents of the City of Danbury by Danbury's mayor and its police department.
Plaintiffs allege that the arrests violated their Fourth Amendment rights and the Connecticut Constitution because defendants conducted the arrests without valid warrants, in the absence of exigent circumstances, and without probable cause to believe that plaintiffs were engaged in unlawful activity. In addition, plaintiffs allege that defendants improperly stopped, detained, investigated, searched and arrested plaintiffs. Plaintiffs also allege that defendants violated their Fourteenth Amendment rights when they intentionally targeted plaintiffs, and arrested and detained them on the basis of their race, ethnicity and perceived national origin. Plaintiffs raise First Amendment, Due Process and tort claims.
Plaintiffs request declaratory relief, damages and attorneys fees.
On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of aday laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
