Opinion
New Britain Progressive Opinion Page
On this page, you will find Op-Ed pieces, news analysis and other opinion in which the authors seek to inform on topics of interest to the New Britain community. If you would like to send commentary for consideration, please email it to newbritainprogressive@gmail.com.
Reflections of a Hundred Year Old Activist
By Ida Cohen Seeing so many of us in front of New Britain’s City Hall was a sight for these sore eyes. Lately reading the news has been so depressing, and there we were one hundred strong, chanting, yelling, fighting for our civil rights! Every time I’ve heard discussions on the news and radio I’ve […]
Congratulations on the Promotion of Colonel Christee Cuttino
By Coach Darwin Shaw, Lord, you are worthy of all the praise. I would like to congratulate Christee Cuttino. Today at 3pm, Christee will be promoted to Colonel at the “National Museum of the United States Army” (1775 Liberty Dr., Fort Belvoir, Virginia). Christee is a graduate of New Britain High School, class of 1999. […]
End MAGA Next Year With Necessary Small-D Democratic Reforms
By Tim O’Brien The Trumpster Republicans’ greedy money-grab big bill that takes health care from millions of people to hand vast riches to the already wealthy, among other harms, is only the latest in a string of acts of the bigoted, fascist, militaristic, greedy, corrupt, Project 2025, MAGA administration under the rule of President Donald […]
CTfastrak: Partnership Improves Customer Safety & Builds Community
By CTfastrak “Safety is our highest priority, and this partnership only strengthens our commitment to our valued customers and our employees,” said CTDOT Bureau Chief Benjamin T. Limmer What does it mean to feel safe on public transit? For CTfastrak customers, safety is a friendly greeting by a supervisor or professional operator. Safety is feeling […]
Juneteenth: A Truly American Holiday
Portions of comments at the Juneteenth Community Celebration, June 19, 2025. By Candyce Scott Juneteenth – a truly American holiday. A celebration of America’s love for liberty. A holiday based in perseverance of Americans to be free. A reminder that we live in a country where the leaders have to respect all branches of government […]
New Britain Racial Justice Coalition Condemns Mayor Stewart’s Veto of Education, Housing and Public Service
By the New Britain Racial Justice Coalition, The New Britain Racial Justice Coalition (NBRJC) strongly condemns Mayor Erin Stewart’s June 7 veto of the City Council’s amended FY 2025 budget, which prioritized long-overdue investments in education, housing, and public services. The veto reverses a budget that was shaped by extensive community input and advocacy. Over […]
Dare to Struggle: “State Troopers Harass and Kick Homeless People Out of CT Fastrak Bus Stations”
Opinion by Dare to Struggle, On May 3rd, 2025, Dare to Struggle (DTS) confronted a State Trooper who was harassing homeless people who were just sitting on a bench at the New Britain CT Fastrak bus station. As shown in the video provided alongside this press release, it was only during this confrontation where he […]
Honoring the Great Harriet S Geragosian – Steadfast, Caring, Progressive Leader
By Tim O’Brien I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the great Harriet S Geragosian. I am saddened for her wonderful family, and I extend my heartfelt sympathy to her son, State Auditor and former state Rep John Geragosian, his wife, Audrey, daughter Molly and all of the members of their family. […]
Celebrating the Asian American and Pacific Islander Festival at CCSU
By Candyce Scott Remarks during the Asian American and Pacific Islander Festival at CCSU on April 30, 2025. I am so excited to be here because I am an alumni of CCSU. This is my home, and my responsibility to be here. I am so proud of my school during these turbulent, troubling times. I […]
Dare to Struggle CT Letter to the Editor: 3/10 “Rally Against Shelter Abuse”
By Dare to Struggle CT To the editor, The Rally Against Shelter Abuse, which took place in front of one of New Britain’s homeless services centers/shelters on 61 Arch Street March 10th, was characterized by mass participation from the Arch Street neighborhood, threats of retaliation from the Friendship Center, and the directors not responding to […]
Op-Ed: A National Mesothelioma Registry Could Combat Misdiagnosis and Improve Health Outcomes of New Britain Veterans
By Jonathan Sharp Veterans in Connecticut—particularly in New Britain—face a public health crisis that has been overlooked for far too long. Asbestos exposure, which many endured while serving at contaminated military bases, has left them vulnerable to mesothelioma, a devastating and often misdiagnosed cancer. Making this more tragic is that several veterans discover their condition […]
Remote Work Rollbacks Highlight Need to Fight for a Shorter Workweek for All Workers and Families
Whether or not you work at a job that is possible to do remotely, acts increasingly being perpetrated by the greedy who own for a living to roll back the ability of workers who can work remotely to do so show in crystal clear terms that rich people think they own the rest of humanity. […]
HB 6338 If Approved Will Undermine Tenant Protection
By Aram Ayalon As the Connecticut legislator is making a concerted effort in the 2025 session to address homelessness and shortage of affordable housing, one legislation proposal could undermine this effort. The housing committee of the Connecticut legislator is considering HB 6338 that would allow landlords to request the police to evict individuals whom the […]
Mayor Stewart Goes All In With MAGA In Bid For Statewide Office
By John McNamara Mayor Erin Stewart’s second bid for statewide office formally began on January 28th at an announcement about her exploratory committee. Standing outside her City Hall office with a throng of municipal employees and supporters looking on, the six-term Republican mayor said she needs to raise $350,000 this year to viably contend for […]
A Call for Hope, Pride and Activism from Ald Scott at Black History Month Flag Raising
By Ald Candyce Scott, speaking at the raising of the Pan African flag in front of New Britain City Hall in honor of Black History Month. I know today many people are feeling sad, confused, angry, and scared. Even though we are going through some horribly scary, frightening times, we have to remain positive and […]
Martin Luther King and the Economic and Social Bill of Rights
By Tim O’Brien Editor’s note: The following commentary is a republication of an article originally published personally by the author in 2014. This weekend, our nation, state and communities celebrate and remember the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his accomplishments. It is a time when I have always felt inspired by his work, […]
Residents Organizing “Saving Our Neighborhood” Event on the Allen Street Project
Dear Neighbors and Ward Four Residents, My name is Carol Austad, and my husband, Robert Swarr and I, are long-time residents of New Britain. We care deeply about the well-being of our neighborhood. I am also a member of the Democratic Town Committee (DTC), and my goal is to address concerns and serve everyone in […]
Mayor Erin Stewart Pandemic Record – a tale of failed leadership
The Coronavirus pandemic created great challenges to leadership around the world.In order to best meet this crisis local, state, and federal governments all needed to contribute their share to minimize fatalities and reduce the spread of COVID-19. Local towns and cities played a key role during the pandemic. Mayors had the power to set and […]
Post Election: Countering Fear and Exclusion Begins Here
By John McNamara NEW BRITAIN – Campaign promises threatening “mass deportation”, use of the military and law enforcement to go after political opponents (“the enemy within”) and rollbacks of policies for the common good dominated Trump on the stump in the closing weeks of 2024’s campaign. And so the Trump victory on November 5th is […]
Greeditarian Democrats Are At Fault for Trump Winning
By Tim O’Brien I think it was on the order of two decades ago that I predicted to Democratic Party leaders and activists that, if the Democratic Party did not start opposing free trade instead of embracing it, that, eventually, an ultranationalist Republican would rise up and win the presidency by doing so. Few in […]