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Community Corner

Opinion: Protesting The Name "Olde Freehold Day"

Again, I am protesting the name of the upcoming celebration which is "Olde Freehold Day."  

The name suggests life in Freehold as it was in the 20th century as well as 2003.  

Olde Freehold practiced segregation and bigotry against its black residents. Blacks had to go to an all-black school.  Blacks were not allowed in restaurants, hotels except as servants, maids and janitors.  Blacks were not allowed to join the police and fire depts.  

In 2004, Freehold was sued in federal court because the muster zone was closed and they were not allowed to assemble in public places.  Free suffered several race riots in the latter part of the 20th century.  

I say celebrate Freehold but not the old hateful bigoted Freehold.  
Let all of us move away from that.
                                                Tom Baldwin

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