(Bridgeport, CT, 8/7/2026) — The Bridgeport Islamic Community Center (BICC), in coordination with the Connecticut chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CT), hosted Governor Ned Lamont on Friday for an information session with BICC board members and community stakeholders. Gov. Lamont is running for a third term to be Governor of Connecticut.
A significant portion of the discussion focused on Gaza. CAIR-CT Chairman Farhan Memon asked Lamont whether he considered Israel’s actions to constitute genocide and whether Connecticut should maintain economic ties with Israel in light of the devastation and civilian deaths.
Lamont declined to use the term “genocide,” but described Israel’s military campaign as a “gross overreaction.”
“Many, many, many too many of the kids I saw were killed, and I think they were killed unnecessarily,” Lamont said. Referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he added, “I think Netanyahu should go tomorrow. Absolutely, I do.”
Lamont acknowledged that he had not evaluated Israel’s conduct under the applicable legal definition of genocide. He also did not substantively answer whether he would urge State Treasurer Erick Russell to divest Connecticut pension funds from Israeli bonds or divest from stock holdings in Israeli companies.
During the session, participants questioned the governor about education, healthcare affordability, property taxes, immigration enforcement, small-business development, and Connecticut’s relationship with Israel. Following the discussion, Governor Lamont addressed 300 members of the broader BICC congregation after the Friday prayer service.
The governor identified education and healthcare affordability as two of his leading priorities.
“We have some of the very best schools in the United States of America,” Lamont said. “But not all of our schools are the very best. I want to make sure that all of our schools are the very best.”
Discussing the financial burden created by healthcare costs, Lamont said, “If we can’t make sure to make healthcare affordable for all of our residents, it’s a question of affordability. It’s a question of fairness. It’s a question of being a basic right.”
BICC participants also raised concerns about rising property taxes and whether Connecticut’s stronger fiscal position was producing tangible benefits for working families. Lamont pointed to increased state education funding and said the state is considering taking greater responsibility for special-education expenses as a way to reduce pressure on municipal budgets and property taxpayers.
Community members also questioned the governor about fear among immigrant families and international students arising from federal immigration enforcement.
“I welcome the fact that folks from around the world want to come to the United States, want to come to Connecticut universities, and many stay right here,” Lamont said. “I think it’s one of our great strengths as a society.”
Addressing ICE enforcement, Lamont said his message to the agency was: “Stay out of our state. We have one of the safest states. You’re scaring the hell out of the kids. Stay away from our schools. Stay away from our courthouses, and for God’s sake, stay away from our voting areas.”
Participants expressed concern that Connecticut graduates and experienced professionals continue to struggle to find suitable employment despite the state’s reported job vacancies. Lamont said approximately 80,000 jobs remain unfilled in fields including engineering, computer science, cybersecurity, healthcare, education, the skilled trades, and infrastructure. He offered to connect community members with the Governor’s Workforce Council, the Office of Workforce Strategy, and regional workforce-development boards.
Food insecurity and the loss of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits were also discussed. Lamont said Connecticut had increased support for food banks, provided grocery-benefit cards to some residents who lost SNAP assistance, and worked to reenroll eligible households. He said approximately 5,000 of the 20,000 Connecticut residents who had lost SNAP benefits had already been restored to the program.
Memon also highlighted CAIR-CT’s recent discussions with the Connecticut State Department of Education concerning halal options in school meal programs, noting that Muslim students should not be left with nutritionally inadequate alternatives because their schools do not provide religiously appropriate meals.
On transportation, Lamont said the state does not have sufficient space to add additional lanes to Interstate 95. Instead, Connecticut plans to increase the speed and frequency of rail service and address the highway entrances and exits that produce the most severe congestion.
“If I get just 10% of those cars off of 95, that makes a big difference,” Lamont said.
The governor also described his administration’s emphasis on small and minority-owned businesses rather than large corporate incentive packages.
“We have put our resources helping people start their own business and buy their first home,” Lamont said. “We’ve had more new businesses start up in the last five years than the last 20 years combined.” He added that many of these businesses were established by women and people of color and confirmed that his administration prioritizes those entrepreneurs.
The information session provided BICC board members and community stakeholders with an opportunity to raise concerns directly with the governor, obtain information about state policies, and identify issues requiring further engagement with the Lamont administration.
BICC and CAIR do not endorse political candidates. Its civic-engagement activities are intended to ensure that members of the Muslim community can hear directly from public officials, ask substantive questions, and participate fully in Connecticut’s civic life.
About BICC
The Bridgeport Islamic Community Center serves Muslim families in Bridgeport and surrounding communities through religious, educational, charitable, and civic programs.
About CAIR-CT
CAIR-CT is the Connecticut chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation’s largest Muslim civil-rights and advocacy organization. CAIR-CT works to protect civil rights, promote civic engagement, and empower Connecticut’s Muslim community.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
CONTACT: Farhan Memon, Chairman, CAIR-CT 203-517-6526 (cell) or fmemon@cair.com
