(Hartford, Conn./WTIC) - The opening of the 2021 legislative session was one that hadn't been seen before, at least in recent memory.
The coronavirus pandemic prompted both chambers to hold their swearings-in outdoors.
State senators were sworn in by Secretary of the State Denise Merrill in a state Capitol parking lot.
New Haven's Martin Looney and Norwalk's Bob Duff were sworn-in as president and majority leader, respectively.
Stratford Republican Kevin Kelly was officially named minority leader in the upper chamber.
Over in the House, represenatives took their oaths on the Capitol's north steps from outgoing Speaker Joe Aresimowicz.
New speaker Matt Ritter was administered the oath by his father, former state House speaker Tom Ritter.
The proceedings were held as hundreds of protestors ringed the grounds of the Capitol and chanted loudly.
The gathering was organized by the group CT Liberty Rally.
The group was on hand to denounce lockdowns and business closures during the pandemic, as well as potential Covid-19 vaccine mandates.




