Danbury Council Vote on Policing Immigrant Community Draws Thousands to Protest

By THOMAS KAPLAN
Published: February 7, 2008

DANBURY, Conn. — On Wednesday night, Jose Contreras gazed toward City Hall here, his face wrinkled with pain as he wondered aloud about what the future might hold for his restaurant — not to mention for his neighbors. Thousands of them were standing nearby in the crisp darkness, waving signs, whistling and chanting in Spanish and English at a volume that could be heard blocks away.

At the time, the Common Council of this city was moving through its agenda en route to voting on a contentious plan for its police force to partner with federal officials to enforce immigration laws, an arrangement many in the large immigrant community fear could have a devastating effect. Officials were expecting so many residents to turn out for the vote that they set up a simulcast at a local school.

Despite the night’s raucous protest and solemn predictions by many that the partnership would drive people away from this diverse city, the Common Council approved the plan, 19 to 2.

[color=darkred][b]“Most of these people are going to leave,â€