New London — In 1965 there were 268 “freedom fighters” with the New London Branch of the NAACP struggling with issues involving police and the educational system, according to chapter President Jean Jordan.

Addressing the crowd at the annual Freedom Fund Banquet at the Port ‘N Starboard Restaurant on Thursday, Jordan said, “this is 2015 and we are still struggling with the same issues.”

“We need to change that,” she said, calling on more people, black and white, to get involved.

Thursday’s banquet, with the theme “Pursuing Liberty in the Face of Injustice,” was not only the group’s largest fundraiser of the year but also a chance to show support for the group and review developments over the past year.

Tamara Lanier, the chapter's first vice president, said the group stayed busy testifying at the state capitol, introducing an NAACP member into a new educational program and keeping an eye on the court system.

Keynote speaker state Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney, D-New Haven, highlighted achievements in the legislature’s passage of a series of criminal justice reforms.

Those reforms included reinforcement of the rights of citizens to record police officers on their cellphones and $13 million available starting in 2017 to aid municipalities in purchasing police body cameras.

There is also a law allowing the investigation of a police-involved death to be taken out of the hands of the state’s attorney in the district where it occurred. Looney said there is at times perceived conflict of interest in the practice and the law will ensure “an arm’s-length investigation.”

Looney also was instrumental in passage of legislation that "provides for the first time property tax relief on a significant scale.”

In towns like New London and New Haven, where nearly 50 percent of the property is not on the tax rolls, funds will be increased in the Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program. Under the same reform package, car taxes also will be equalized, he said.

Looney gave a nod to New London Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio for his impassioned testimony in Hartford on behalf of the tax reforms. Finizio, who also spoke at the banquet, said the legislation helped the city’s ability to stabilize its budget.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia E. King, who specializes in civil rights matters, told the crowd that the U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to working with municipalities like New London to “bridge the gap between law enforcement and the communities they serve.”

The recent publicity surrounding police-involved shootings has prompted the US. Attorney’s Office to offer “shoot, don’t shoot” training scenarios, allowing community leaders to be put in a situation a police officer might face.

She said the initiative has led to roundtable discussions bringing law enforcement and community leaders “to have the hard conversations that need to be had.”

She said the FBI Director James B. Comey’s admission of an “unconscious bias” pervading many communities also has opened the door to more conversation. She said her office is interested in working with the New London community to address that issue if the need arises.

The night was expected to end with the presentation of several awards, including a community award to James and Sherburne Stidfole of the Hygienic Art Galleries for their numerous contributions to the New London community. Reona Dyess, the NAACP’s youth advisor, called them a “powerhouse couple” who have offered music, art and volunteerism.

The entire New London High School Athletic Department received an education award for support and mentorship of students in the school system. New London Athletic Director Chris Vamvakides was invited to accept the award with coaches representing every sport at the high school.

g.smith@theday.com

Twitter: @SmittyDay