Al Sharpton Coming To NJ After Viral Video Shows Cops Arresting Black Teen

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — American civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton is heading to Bridgewater to call for justice after a Z'Kye Hussain, a Black 8th grader, was handcuffed by Bridgewater Township Police following a mall fight.

A press conference will be held outside of the Bridgewater Police Department on Wednesday at noon with Sharpton along with nationally known civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who has handled cases involving George Floyd, Trayvon Martin, and Breonna Taylor.

"Come stand with us! We are inviting all of the local community and community activist to join us in this fight for justice," according to the flyer.

Rev. Steffie Bartley will also be in attendance. Bartley is the director of the National Action Network, a not-for-profit, civil rights organization founded by Sharpton in 1991.

Crump was retained by Hussain's family following a viral video showing Bridgewater Police's handling of a teen mall fight raising questions of racial disparity.

The video shows a fight between a light-skinned teen and a Black teen at the Bridgewater Commons mall. The video also shows township police officers kneeling on and handcuffing the Black teen while the white teen is left sitting on a couch. Read More: Cops Criticized After Stopping Teen Fight At Bridgewater Mall

Since then Murphy has said he was "deeply disturbed" by the video and the New Jersey chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, a civil rights organization, is now calling for the Bridgewater officers involved to be immediately removed from the police force pending an investigation.

The Somerset County Prosecutor's Office is helping Bridgewater with the investigation as they strictly adhere to the New Jersey Attorney General's Internal Affairs Directive. The SCPO has 45 days to complete the investigation. Read More: Murphy 'Disturbed' By Bridgewater Cops' Handling Of Mall Fight

Somerset County officials have also spoken about the incident asking for answers. Read More: Bridgewater Mall Investigation Continues, Officials Want Answers

A request for comment by Patch about the conference to Sharpton or Crump was not immediately returned.

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