UPDATE: A comment below noted that at last night's Hoboken City Council meeting:
"Falco said she'd been in contact with them [Allies4Justice] and was totally confident this would be peaceful and hopes others participate. She was the only council member to publicly express support."Good for Vanessa. What about the others...?
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As many folks already know, the organizer of Friday's protest at Maxwell Place Park in Hoboken calls itself @allies4justice. Who are they?
Allies4Justice is a brand-new organization that formed after the Hoboken protest was announced on Twitter by "G" (@gaaabycx) last week. The group's nine members (and counting) have posted their bios on Instagram. They are recent alumni from New Jersey schools: Rutgers New Brunswick, Montclair and Kean University, and are passionate about seeking racial justice and change "to dismantle systemic oppression." "G," founding member of Allies4Justice, is also their spokeswoman.
As the above Allies4Justice tweet notes, the Mayor's Office and HPD Chief Ferrante were "communicated with" and are now "part of the conversation." Note, the conversation began after the protest was advertised on social media. The City found out about it like the rest of us- on Twitter.
Better late than never. That is reassuring because as a host city, we want a peaceful, safe environment for both protesters and residents. Hoboken residents- in solidarity with Black Lives Matter, who support the cause- are part of the conversation now; we are represented by our Mayor and Police Chief.
Who else is part of this conversation?
"G" declined to name the Hoboken elected officials that are working with protest organizers.
I checked the Facebook pages of council members. None have shown support for Allies4Justice nor their June 5 protest. None have indicated they've had conversations with protest organizers. None have issued a press release. How come?
There is no reason for Hoboken elected officials to hide support for this protest.
Mayor Bhalla and Chief Ken Ferrante have been honest and transparent about working with protest organizers on behalf of Hoboken residents. Both have been honest and transparent about the issues of racial injustice and police brutality and the murder of George Floyd in statements to the media, and on Facebook.
The other "councilmen and councilwomen" apparently lack the courage of their convictions.
Last night, Chief Ferrante issued a lengthy press release. In part, he said:
"The conduct of those four officers, in their flat out abuse of a handcuffed black man, who was being arrested for passing a counterfeit $20 bill, which resulted in his death, is conduct that cannot be accepted by any officer in the United States. The other three officers were finally criminally charged a little while ago.
The tactic that was used by those officers is not part of any training taught in New Jersey and one that would never be tolerated in Hoboken. Minneapolis has also shown everything NOT to do in policing in the first week after that homicide... It is clear that the Minneapolis Police Dept. did not have positive relations with their community and it’s leaders, their elected officials or their media before last week because you see no collaboration whatsoever amongst those groups to help bring peace.
We are much better in New Jersey and much better at the Hoboken PD. We have not had a civil suit against any of our officers for excessive force or racial influenced policing in at least over six years. We have not had a criminal complaint against any of our officers for this in the same time period. We strive to be better. I strive to lead our department to police based on a principle of fairness and equality to everyone!
We don’t police any groups whatsoever, as I direct our officers to police criminal and disorderly conduct. We aim to de-escalate and start with a calm demeanor, with ensuring that everyone we come across is treated the same. We do not tolerate excessive use of force, and we do not tolerate racially biased policing. My mission statement for the department is that we are to be community sensitive to every crime victim, resident, community leader, government official, member of the media, and our fellow brother and sister officers. We engage in as many community-building events as possible, even by doing that virtually during this pandemic, which has not yet ended.
This Friday, we have a planned protest in Hoboken. My command staff and I have worked around the clock since last Friday to ensure that we have a peaceful protest and peaceful day in Hoboken. The burden of the responsibility on me is to ensure that I direct our officers and the other agencies who will be assisting, to make certain we maintain a peaceful march.
While we are prepared to work with the organizers for the duration of the event, we are also prepared to attempt to prevent or respond to any negative situation that comes our way. I, as well as all of my officers, have taken an oath to protect and serve, under the authority of the people, and that is exactly what I have done during my tenure and will continue to do Friday and beyond. I always tell our new officers and those being promoted to listen to their oaths as they say it, and to live by that.
We support those in New Jersey and Hoboken, as well as those around our nation, who want to protest peacefully against racism and police brutality, and I am committed to doing anything I can to help end racism and improve police-community relations and police tactics."
Mayor Bhalla issued this statement:
"I recently issued a statement joining the rest of the nation in mourning the tragic and brutal murder of George Floyd at the hands of officers of the Minneapolis Police Department, and the justifiable anger, frustration and grief we are seeing across the streets of America. Along with scenes of peaceful, non-violent protest, we have also seen disturbing images of persons joining protestors but behaving in ways that undermine the legitimate voices of peaceful protestors, and do not align with our values in fighting against police brutality and systemic racism still ingrained in the highest institutions of our county.
Many Hoboken residents have contacted me about this topic and the desire to join in protest against the murder of George Floyd and racial injustice. At the same time, we are in the middle of a global pandemic with COVID-19, which requires individuals to socially distance, wear face masks, and refrain from outdoor gatherings of 25 or more people. How do you organize an inclusive outdoor protest with 25 people, six feet apart?
It’s a great question, and regrettably I do not think it is possible in the context of the necessary public health restrictions created by this pandemic.
Therefore, and in furtherance of our efforts to find the best and most safe way possible that meets the needs of two crises occurring at the same time, I have been in touch with our Interfaith Clergy, who will be hosting a “Hoboken Virtual Interfaith Clergy Vigil” where Hoboken residents will be able to participate live and online, in a virtual rally in a manner that is safe and does not compound the dangers of the pandemic we are all trying to contain. This Hoboken Virtual Interfaith Clergy Vigil will be held on Thursday, June 4th, at 5 pm, and will be broadcast live at Hoboken Clergy Coalition.
Many residents have also inquired about a protest planned this Friday in Hoboken, which I learned more about over the weekend. I spoke to the organizers of the protest today and we and discussed many logistical issues.
I expressed my solidarity with the movement for racial justice, and we discussed our joint desire for this to be a peaceful and non-violent protest. The Hoboken Police Department has been proactive in planning and intelligence gathering since Friday, and will play a central role protecting residents, businesses and protestors throughout the entire day. I thank all members from the department for working hard to keep Hoboken safe. From speaking to the organizers, we also expect the vast majority of participants will attend the protest for its intended purpose – to protest the murder of George Floyd and racial injustice.
However, I am also concerned this event cannot be socially distant, as we have seen in other parts of the country, and may expose attendees to a risk of danger from individuals who may attend for reasons that are improper – despite the be the best intentions of the organizers of this protest. For this reason, I cannot offer you advice as to whether or not to attend this gathering, except to make an educated decision and express your free speech rights “eyes wide open” about the pandemic we are facing and safer alternatives discussed above.
In closing, while I wish we can join together in unity, holding hands, marching, protesting, and advocating in the way we normally do as patriotic Americans, these are not normal times. The ground has shifted beneath us in major ways, twice this year, and we must adapt to these changes. I hope residents recognize this reality and express their free speech right in a manner that does not risk their public health or physical safety."
For the record, I support the movement. It is a movement.
As the above Allies4Justice tweet notes, the Mayor's Office and HPD Chief Ferrante were "communicated with" and are now "part of the conversation." Note, the conversation began after the protest was advertised on social media. The City found out about it like the rest of us- on Twitter.
Better late than never. That is reassuring because as a host city, we want a peaceful, safe environment for both protesters and residents. Hoboken residents- in solidarity with Black Lives Matter, who support the cause- are part of the conversation now; we are represented by our Mayor and Police Chief.
Who else is part of this conversation?
"G" declined to name the Hoboken elected officials that are working with protest organizers.
I checked the Facebook pages of council members. None have shown support for Allies4Justice nor their June 5 protest. None have indicated they've had conversations with protest organizers. None have issued a press release. How come?
There is no reason for Hoboken elected officials to hide support for this protest.
Mayor Bhalla and Chief Ken Ferrante have been honest and transparent about working with protest organizers on behalf of Hoboken residents. Both have been honest and transparent about the issues of racial injustice and police brutality and the murder of George Floyd in statements to the media, and on Facebook.
The other "councilmen and councilwomen" apparently lack the courage of their convictions.
Last night, Chief Ferrante issued a lengthy press release. In part, he said:
"The conduct of those four officers, in their flat out abuse of a handcuffed black man, who was being arrested for passing a counterfeit $20 bill, which resulted in his death, is conduct that cannot be accepted by any officer in the United States. The other three officers were finally criminally charged a little while ago.
The tactic that was used by those officers is not part of any training taught in New Jersey and one that would never be tolerated in Hoboken. Minneapolis has also shown everything NOT to do in policing in the first week after that homicide... It is clear that the Minneapolis Police Dept. did not have positive relations with their community and it’s leaders, their elected officials or their media before last week because you see no collaboration whatsoever amongst those groups to help bring peace.
We are much better in New Jersey and much better at the Hoboken PD. We have not had a civil suit against any of our officers for excessive force or racial influenced policing in at least over six years. We have not had a criminal complaint against any of our officers for this in the same time period. We strive to be better. I strive to lead our department to police based on a principle of fairness and equality to everyone!
We don’t police any groups whatsoever, as I direct our officers to police criminal and disorderly conduct. We aim to de-escalate and start with a calm demeanor, with ensuring that everyone we come across is treated the same. We do not tolerate excessive use of force, and we do not tolerate racially biased policing. My mission statement for the department is that we are to be community sensitive to every crime victim, resident, community leader, government official, member of the media, and our fellow brother and sister officers. We engage in as many community-building events as possible, even by doing that virtually during this pandemic, which has not yet ended.
This Friday, we have a planned protest in Hoboken. My command staff and I have worked around the clock since last Friday to ensure that we have a peaceful protest and peaceful day in Hoboken. The burden of the responsibility on me is to ensure that I direct our officers and the other agencies who will be assisting, to make certain we maintain a peaceful march.
While we are prepared to work with the organizers for the duration of the event, we are also prepared to attempt to prevent or respond to any negative situation that comes our way. I, as well as all of my officers, have taken an oath to protect and serve, under the authority of the people, and that is exactly what I have done during my tenure and will continue to do Friday and beyond. I always tell our new officers and those being promoted to listen to their oaths as they say it, and to live by that.
We support those in New Jersey and Hoboken, as well as those around our nation, who want to protest peacefully against racism and police brutality, and I am committed to doing anything I can to help end racism and improve police-community relations and police tactics."
Mayor Bhalla issued this statement:
"I recently issued a statement joining the rest of the nation in mourning the tragic and brutal murder of George Floyd at the hands of officers of the Minneapolis Police Department, and the justifiable anger, frustration and grief we are seeing across the streets of America. Along with scenes of peaceful, non-violent protest, we have also seen disturbing images of persons joining protestors but behaving in ways that undermine the legitimate voices of peaceful protestors, and do not align with our values in fighting against police brutality and systemic racism still ingrained in the highest institutions of our county.
Many Hoboken residents have contacted me about this topic and the desire to join in protest against the murder of George Floyd and racial injustice. At the same time, we are in the middle of a global pandemic with COVID-19, which requires individuals to socially distance, wear face masks, and refrain from outdoor gatherings of 25 or more people. How do you organize an inclusive outdoor protest with 25 people, six feet apart?
It’s a great question, and regrettably I do not think it is possible in the context of the necessary public health restrictions created by this pandemic.
Therefore, and in furtherance of our efforts to find the best and most safe way possible that meets the needs of two crises occurring at the same time, I have been in touch with our Interfaith Clergy, who will be hosting a “Hoboken Virtual Interfaith Clergy Vigil” where Hoboken residents will be able to participate live and online, in a virtual rally in a manner that is safe and does not compound the dangers of the pandemic we are all trying to contain. This Hoboken Virtual Interfaith Clergy Vigil will be held on Thursday, June 4th, at 5 pm, and will be broadcast live at Hoboken Clergy Coalition.
Many residents have also inquired about a protest planned this Friday in Hoboken, which I learned more about over the weekend. I spoke to the organizers of the protest today and we and discussed many logistical issues.
I expressed my solidarity with the movement for racial justice, and we discussed our joint desire for this to be a peaceful and non-violent protest. The Hoboken Police Department has been proactive in planning and intelligence gathering since Friday, and will play a central role protecting residents, businesses and protestors throughout the entire day. I thank all members from the department for working hard to keep Hoboken safe. From speaking to the organizers, we also expect the vast majority of participants will attend the protest for its intended purpose – to protest the murder of George Floyd and racial injustice.
However, I am also concerned this event cannot be socially distant, as we have seen in other parts of the country, and may expose attendees to a risk of danger from individuals who may attend for reasons that are improper – despite the be the best intentions of the organizers of this protest. For this reason, I cannot offer you advice as to whether or not to attend this gathering, except to make an educated decision and express your free speech rights “eyes wide open” about the pandemic we are facing and safer alternatives discussed above.
In closing, while I wish we can join together in unity, holding hands, marching, protesting, and advocating in the way we normally do as patriotic Americans, these are not normal times. The ground has shifted beneath us in major ways, twice this year, and we must adapt to these changes. I hope residents recognize this reality and express their free speech right in a manner that does not risk their public health or physical safety."
For the record, I support the movement. It is a movement.
Strictly a guess but I'd say it's Tiffanie and Mike D. The protest is in their wards.
ReplyDeleteIn these hyper tense times it is especially important that the initiating organization and our elected officials be fully transparent. Many business and home owners in Hoboken are legitimately concerned by vague half answers and evasive word games that they are being given by those who say that they are the organizers of this protest rally only increase those concerns. Be safe.
ReplyDeleteLate into the council meeting Falco said she'd been in contact with them and was totally confident this would be peaceful and hopes others participate. She was the only council member to publicly express support.
ReplyDeleteHas the choice of Hoboken as a venue been addressed by the planners? It's possible not everyone in Hoboken found out after it was tweeted. The affluence of the community is certainly a possible "draw." It would be good to know more about the genesis either way.
ReplyDeleteRegardless, I have confidence in the chief.
BTW, I went to the demonstration in JC at city hall. We took a knee for 9 minutes, signifying the 9 minute horror visited upon Mr Floyd. There were supposed to be 2 minutes of silence, but there were over 1000 people and throughout people were chanting "take a knee!" to the cops present. Some of them did, which would result in cheers. But then the chant would start again for whoever hadn't. But it got to be a lot of the focus instead of silent reflection.
The chief should expect this and perhaps address it in advance with his officers and the organizers so they do not see the fact that some of the officers must remain upright as being unsympathetic or antagonistic.