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Headlines
New Britain Racial Justice Coalition
The New Britain Racial Justice Coalition is planning a Community Budget Forum on the city budget. The Coalition says, “Please join the New Britain Racial Justice Coalition for a Community Budget Forum as a part of our New Britain for All anti-gentrification campaign.” “We plan to analyze the current city budget, explain how a city […]
The CT People’s Survival Program has announced a three-part Community Violence Intervention Series, noting that it is, “focused on equipping community members with practical skills to interrupt and transform violence.” The CT People’s Survival Program is a 501(c)(3) affiliate of the New Britain Racial Justice Coalition (NBRJC). The organization says that, In collaboration with the […]
NAACP
NAACP State Council President Scot X. Esdaile led a crowd of 150 in celebrating the swearing in of newly elected New Britain NAACP President Jan E. Edwards and other New Britain NAACP officers in a ceremony Tuesday evening. Other newly elected officers included First Vice President, Dr. Violet Jimenez-Sims, Treasurer Samuel Simmons, Assistant Treasure Kim […]
The upcoming NAACP Economic Development Committee Multicultural Business Coalition meeting is to feature New Britain Pastor Dana Smith at New Life ll Ministries. The meeting is to include, “Visioning for Multicultural Businesses & Economic Development in New Britain and “Goal Development and Direction for 2025.” The meeting is Monday, February 17, 2025 from 5:00pm to […]
Opinion
By Aram Ayalon As the Connecticut legislator is making a concerted effort in the 2025…
Community News
In New Britain, community meetings and events from today to Sunday, February 23, 2025 include
News
A new City Council proposal seeks to clarify when New Britain residents seeking relief from…
The Arts
Editor’s Note (2/17/2025): The Trinity-on-Main website says that these events are cancelled. City Youth Theater/City Stage Company is presenting Five Guys Named Moe, “a vibrant celebration of Black music and storytelling,” at New Britain’s Trinity-on-Main honor of Black History Month. The performance company says that. This beloved musical tells the story of Nomax, a man […]
News Analysis
Republican City Council Assistant Leader, Ald Sharon Beloin-Saavedra (R-1) has reportedly announced that she is…
History
Finding A Common Thread of Racial and Social Justice in 1988 and 2024 By John…
Featured Journalism
Friendship Center’s Cold Weather Triage Program Is Open To Help Unhoused NEW BRITAIN – A…
Flooding Series
To: Allen St. Flooding Victims, Concerned Citizens, City and State Officials. PRIORTIZE:
Latest News and Opinion
A new City Council proposal seeks to clarify when New Britain residents seeking relief from rents can allege that rents are excessive when their landlords have begun eviction proceeding for nonpayment of rent in certain cases. The proposal, introduced by Ald Jerrell Hargraves (R-2) and Ald Neil Connors (D-4) is on the agenda of the […]
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 […]
NAACP State Council President Scot X. Esdaile led a crowd of 150 in celebrating the swearing in of newly elected New Britain NAACP President Jan E. Edwards and other New Britain NAACP officers in a ceremony Tuesday evening. Other newly elected officers included First Vice President, Dr. Violet Jimenez-Sims, Treasurer Samuel Simmons, Assistant Treasure Kim […]
1 min read
Rep. Bobby Sanchez Wins Re-Election in the 25th
Rep. Bobby Sanchez (D-25) easily won re-election on November 8th. Rep. Sanchez reflected on the moment and thanked the people of his district.
City Bureaucracy Under Stewart to Grow Again While Concerns Rise Over Weakening of Human Rights and Opportunities
Press Pool Story The Republican-dominated City Council approved a city reorganization plan proposed by Mayor Erin Stewart (R) that, once again, increases the number of city departments, while placing the city’s Human Rights and Opportunities Officer and Commission under the newly-created “Human Resources Department”. The City’s Human Rights and Opportunities Officer and Commission have historically provided oversight […]
1 min read
Lenovo Donates Computers and Tablets to NBHS Academy of Finance Program
Karen Ondrick, Chief Connector, Community Partnerships at Lenovo was in attendance as New Britain High School Academy of Finance (AOF) launched the AOF/Lenovo Scholar Network on November 2. Now in its third year, the Lenovo Scholar Network pairs the Fortune 500 technology company with the National Academy of Finance (NAF) to help provide high school students […]
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Work Begins on Teen “Romeo and Juliet” at New Britain Youth Theater
Preparation for a production of William Shakespeare’s teen tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, begins at New Britain Youth Theater in November. Set in 1967 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the “Summer of Love,” the play will be performed outdoors at the New Britain Museum of American Art in June 2017. For teens planning to audition […]
Democrats Win Big in New Britain
Democratic candidates all prevailed in New Britain on Tuesday’s election. Voters handily re-elected Sen. Terry Gerratana (D-6), Rep. Bobby Sanchez (D-25), Rep. Peter Tercyak (D-26) and Rep. Rick Lopes (D-24), and voters sided with Democrats’ position on two of the three Charter revision referendum questions on the ballot.
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Election Day Arrives – Top Democrats Support New Britain Campaign Efforts
Press Pool Story Local Democratic campaign efforts were given a push on the last weekend before the November 8th elections with support from top Democratic elected officials. On Saturday New Britain Democrats held a Get-Out-The-Vote Breakfast at Cafe Beauregard on Main Street, where they were rallied with speeches from Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman (D), State Attorney […]
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New Britain Independent Rededicated as the New Britain Progressive
Editorial Message The New Britain Independent has been renamed the New Britain Progressive, as New Britain’s not-for-profit community newspaper organization has decided to redouble its efforts at achieving its core mission – to tell the truth that is so often left out of or falsely reported in the for-profit newspapers and to share news and information […]
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Follow our new Twitter account – @NB_Progressive
The New Britain Independent is changing its name to the New Britain Progressive – @NB_Progressive. Future Twitter posts will be to our new account. Come follow us at @NB_Progressive.
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Senator Terry Gerratana Eliminates Car Taxes
By Robert Berriault As a resident of New Britain, I encourage New Britain families to show their support for State Senator Terry Gerratana, who has fought to cut taxes for hardworking families in New Britain. Recently, Terry lessened our tax burden by phasing out property tax on motor vehicles. The new law will save Connecticut […]
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Democrats Oppose Charter Changes, Urging ‘No Pay Hikes’ for Elected Officials ‘on Off Years’
Press Pool Story New Britain Democrats are urging a ‘no’ vote on City Charter changes proposed by city’s Republican mayor, Erin Stewart, and the Republican-dominated City Council. Democrats are objecting to the proposals that, if approved, would create a four-year mayoral term and change the way the mayor and other municipal officials can raise their salaries. […]
1 min read
Community Organizations to Hold Voter Engagement Day
News Brief Several community organizations are holding a Voter Engagement Day on Thursday, November 3rd to encourage people to exercise their right to vote. The New Britain Branch NAACP#2006, Pride of CT Elk Lodge #1437, Spottswood Political Action Committee and New Britain Black Democratic Club are jointly hosting the event. In encouraging people to attend the event, the New […]
1 min read
Forum Held in Opposition to Watershed Mining and Mining Effects on Neighborhoods
Press Pool Story Protect Our Watersheds CT hosted a forum at which residents who live in vicinity of the Tilcon open-pit rock quarry express concerns about, “noise from the mining operation, tremors from the blasts, cracks in the walls,” as well as concerns about, “dust hanging in the air,” and “chemical residues.” Residents were invited to […]
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Free Health Consultations and Screenings Offered in Downtown New Britain
News Brief In observance of National Primary Care Week, the Connecticut Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Network and the UConn Health Center for Public Health and Health Policy will hold free health consultations and screenings. The event will be held on Wednesday, October 26th, from 1:30pm to 4pm in the Community Room in the New Britain […]
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Alderman Questions Stewart on Well Sale in Light of Water Supply Alert
By Emmanuel (Manny) Sanchez In both a press release and an NBC interview roughly two weeks ago, Mayor Erin Stewart stated we are in a “first water alert”. But all facts and statistics show that we’ve been in one since May. I was also informed that the City was at 39.72% capacity when that press release […]
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BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF NEW BRITAIN-Celebrating 125 Years
“A Cornerstone of the New Britain Community for Young People for 125 years” By Rev. Brian K. Riley, New Britain Independent Board President The Boys and Girls Club of New Britain will be celebrating, 125 years of existence on Nov. 3, 2016, they will be holding their 125th Annual Meeting and Anniversary Gala at The […]
2 mins read
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF NEW BRITAIN-Celebrating 125 Years
“A Cornerstone of the New Britain Community for Young People for 125 years” By Rev. Brian K. Riley, New Britain Independent Board President The Boys and Girls Club of New Britain will be celebrating, 125 years of existence on Nov. 3, 2016, they will be holding their 125th Annual Meeting and Anniversary Gala at The […]
1 min read
“Sinister Scenes” Haunted House at New Britain Youth Theater
News Brief New Britain Youth Theater is planning a Haunted House, with some theatrical twists, for Friday and Saturday, October 28 and 29. New Britain Youth Theater’s Haunted House will depict “sinister scenes from seasons past.” On short guided tours, past some of the theater’s most freakish and bizarre set pieces and props, visitors will […]
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New Britain Museum of American Art’s After Dark Halloween Bash
News Brief NBMAA will host its 10th annual Halloween bash, Museum After Dark, this Friday October 28th! New Britain, Conn., October 17, 2016—Dare to scare at Connecticut’s most spooktacular party of the year: New Britain Museum of American Art’s Museum After Dark: 10th Annual Halloween Bash on Friday, October 28, starting at 8 p.m. Haunt the […]
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Wave Of New Voters Includes New Britain: 4,154 Added Since June; Registration Deadline Nov. 1
By John McNamara A wave of new voter registrations statewide may push New Britain enrollment past 30,000 for Election Day on November 8th. One week prior to the November 1st deadline, there are 29,100 eligible to vote according to Democratic Registrar of Voters Juan Verdu’s office. In addition, unregistered voters may go to City Hall […]
1 min read
Rana Plaza: Shaheena*
I woke up in my grave before I died. Not once, but time and darkening time again. I’d heard the floor explode and then the space that was the room changed places with the wall. I was drowned in brick, was gripped, was turned to dust, became a mote of broken plaster, became the blinded […]