WINDSOR, Conn. (WCBS 880) – Amazon stopped construction again at its warehouse near Hartford after the discovery of yet another noose.
Eight nooses have been found in all at the site in Windsor, with the most recent one being discovered Wednesday morning, the day of a scheduled meeting between workers and NAACP officials about safety and security.
The latest symbol of racial hatred turned up with some electrical wires that had not been touched in a few weeks.
Amazon closed the site over the weekend to install cameras at access points and in stairwells after a seventh noose was found last week. But the facility is sprawling at 3.5 million square feet, making it hard to see every corner.
The discovery has led to outrage and indignation.
"The Black community has no trust in this. Eight nooses? Eight nooses? This is a complete joke," said Connecticut NAACP President Scot Esdaile. "There's no way that this should be happening in Connecticut in 2021."
Gov. Ned Lamont was disheartened Wednesday, saying the nooses are "racist provocation of the worst type."
"I can tell you that I'm talking to Amazon," the governor said. "We're doing everything we can from a security point of view, everything we can from a law enforcement point of view. But I can't change people's hearts, and it just breaks my heart that this is still going on."
State police and the FBI are working together on the investigation.
Amazon has put up a $100,000 reward.
"Hate, racism or discrimination have no place in our society and are certainly not tolerated in any Amazon workplace," Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said in a statement. "We will continue to work with all levels of law enforcement as well as our development partners, to hold the perpetrators accountable and ensure that all members of our community feel valued, respected and safe."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
