Members of Bridgeport's Nigerian community held a protest against police brutality in their homeland.  

State and local leaders stood with demonstrators at the Bridgeport-Trumbull line Saturday morning.

The group chanted to passing drivers who slowed to hear their outcry against security forces in Lagos.

Amnesty International says government forces have been opening fire on peaceful protesters in recent days, killing some of them.

The protesters say their demands are simple.

 "To ask the government of Nigeria to take immediate steps to stop the spread of violence that is spiraling in the country and to protect all lives and properties, and to ensure that peaceful protest is a constitutional right that should be guaranteed to everybody in Nigeria," said Chuck Dikko.

"The American value of free expression is at stake in Nigeria and this peaceful protest here -- all of us stand in solidarity for the value of peaceful protest," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal.

The senator says he's carefully monitoring activities in Nigeria's largest city, where residents are now under a 24-hour curfew.