Protestors Gather In Bridgewater Over Racial Disparity Issues

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A large number of people gathered to protest in front of the Bridgewater Police station on Saturday afternoon following the handling of a teen mall fight raising questions of racial disparity.

People’s Organization For Progress held a press conference at noon on Feb. 19 that condemned the "racial profiling and brutalization of the 14-year-old black teenager Z’kye Husain by Bridgewater police during a fight at the Bridgewater Mall."

Leaders from the People’s Organization For Progress and other civil rights and grassroots organizations spoke with several news crews in attendance.

George L. Cook III, a former councilman in Hillside, also attended - see his photos below:

Just after 11 a.m., Bridgewater Police sent out an alert about the gathering saying, "large crowd expected at HQ this afternoon. Expect delays in the area."

Half of the parking lot and a side entrance to the complex near the police station were blocked off during the event.

A video began circulating on Sunday showing the fight between a white 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

When Patch asked for the status of the officers' Bridgewater Police referred the question to SCPO who declined to comment as a result of the investigation.

"The video of the incident at the Bridgewater Mall is upsetting and that there must be a full investigation to uncover all the facts and deliver accountability," said Shanel Y. Robinson, who is the first African American to serve as the Commissioner Director of Somerset County.

Robinson, who is a mother and grandmother, said watching incidents like this over the past few years have been particularly difficult. Read More: Bridgewater Mall Investigation Continues, Officials Want Answers

Bridgewater Township Mayor Matthew Moench also released a statement on Tuesday regarding the video.

"It is not appropriate for me or any other Township official to comment any further on the details of this incident while an investigation is ongoing, except to say that I am completely confident that the Prosecutor's review will be impartial, objective and thorough," said Moench.

He went on to "thank the public for its patience in refraining from jumping to conclusions while an investigation is pending."

"I also want to thank the brave men and women of the Bridgewater Police Department for their continued service, and for keeping our public safe in today's challenging environment," said Moench.

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