BLACK AND PUERTO RICAN CAUCUS SLAM REP. MASTROFRANCESCO'S COMMENTS COMPARING MASK MANDATE TO GEORGE FLOYD'S 'I CAN'T BREATHE'

[Conner, Desmond]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                                                                                                     Contact: Desmond Conner

September 27, 2021                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              (860) 240-8742

 

BLACK AND PUERTO RICAN CAUCUS SLAM REP. MASTROFRANCESCO'S COMMENTS COMPARING MASK MANDATE TO GEORGE FLOYD'S 'I CAN'T BREATHE'

Caucus leadership calls on GOP lawmaker to apologize for insensitive remarks

 

The Black and Puerto Rican Caucus on Monday condemned insensitive and irresponsible remarks made by State Representative Gale Mastrofrancesco (R-Southington/Wolcott) during a House of Representatives Special Session in Hartford on September 27th that centered on a vote regarding the extension of Governor Ned Lamont's Executive Orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including a mask mandate for state employees.
 
Rep. Mastrofrancesco shamelessly invoked the murder and last words of George Floyd, who died after former police officer Derek Chauvin sat with his knee pressed on George Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, while Mr. Floyd cried numerous times that he couldn’t breathe. Chauvin was convicted of murder in April.

 
"I remember back in the beginning when the Governor issued a statement about the tragic death of George Floyd and in that, he was on a video, he spoke and after the video ended, it scrolled and [inaudible] had a shirt on that says 'I can't breathe'," Rep. Mastrofrancesco continued. "Madame Speaker, our children can't breathe. They cannot breathe in school with these masks on."
 
"Let's not confuse the murder of an innocent man with an inconvenience that could potentially save your life," said BPRC chairman and State Representative Geraldo Reyes (D-Waterbury).
 
"I am appalled at Rep. Mastrofrancesco's cavalier example as it relates to one of the most racially motivated time periods in this nation's history when it comes to social justice issues," said BPRC Vice Chair and State Rep. Bobby Gibson (D-Bloomfield/Windsor). As an educator, I take offense to her insensitivity and lack of understanding of the sufferings of people of color in this country, and the BPRC is demanding an apology."
 
"I can't breathe" were also the final words of Eric Garner as he was put in a choke hold by a New York City police officer in 2014, and later died.
 
"To compare a cop assaulting a Black man with a knee on the Black man’s neck that killed him, to kids wearing masks that could save their lives is disgusting," said State Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport/Monroe/Trumbull).
 

"Our expectation is that her colleagues will speak up against her irresponsible comments," Rep. Gibson added.

 

 

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Desmond

 

Connecticut House Democrats Press

Email: Desmond...@cga.ct.gov

Office – 860-240-8742

Cell – 860-262-3100 or 203-376-0394

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