MIDDLETOWN, N.J. – American Civil Liberties Union New Jersey chapter disapproved a speech used during a ceremony that honored law enforcement, military and first responders held Friday night before a high school football game. It was criticized as sending a “frightening message.”
Group says New Jersey high school's police event sends 'frightening message' https://t.co/8bi6FmnOS8 pic.twitter.com/7vauiUYVCS
— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 24, 2016
The ceremony organized by Middletown Police Deputy Chief Stephen Dollinger preceded the game between Middletown South and Toms River North. It featured State Police Pipes and Drums of the Blue and Gold, state and local mounted units, military personnel from all branches of service, and officers from surrounding police departments and sheriff’s units, according to nj.com.
The ceremony honored the Linden officer wounded in a shootout with the accused New York and New Jersey bomber Ahmad Khan Rahami. But Dollinger also said that it was meant to respond to pro-athletes who have taken a knee as the national anthem was played, including 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. “It’s OK to stand up for social justice, inequality and reform,” Dollinger told the newspaper. “It’s another thing to not stand up for the national anthem.”
ACLU of New Jersey reacted to this comment through a letter written to Middletown High School South officials. “As initially described, the event appeared to honor police officers, veterans, service members, and first responders,” the ACLU wrote to the district. “According to press reports, however, the event is being used to intimidate and ostracize people who express their views about systemic racism and social justice.”
ACLU-NJ accused the organizers of doing a disservice to students and players by using the event to send a message that people who practice free speech about disparities in the criminal justice system are unwelcome, disloyal or unpatriotic, according to the letter.
An organizer with the ACLU-NJ, Jasmine Crenshaw, said the event sends a “frightening message” that law enforcement will not tolerate people expressing their views on the nation’s “history of unequal treatment and systematic oppression.”
However, Dollinger argued that his comments had been twisted and that they respect everybody’s right to stand up for social justice. He added that the ceremony is simply about honoring the country and the men and women of law enforcement and first responders.
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