Black Lives Matter Protest Sunday Cancelled

CHESTER, NJ - A Black Lives Matter protest that was scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. Sunday on Main Street in Chester and moved to Turkey Brook Park in Mt. Olive has been cancelled.

Similar events in Morristown and Chatham slated for weekend were also cancelled.

Earlier in the week, the Chester Police Department noted they would be available to support protesters.

"The Chester Police Department will still have extra patrols on duty this weekend to monitor the situation," Chester Chief of Police Tom Williver said in a statement. "Since we were made aware of the march we have been in constant communication with surrounding police departments, county law enforcement, and state law enforcement to assist us if necessary in protecting everyone's rights, property, and overall public safety."

When the rally was going to be in Chester, Williver noted that his department would be there to protect everyone’s First Amendment Rights.

"The First Amendment guarantees every citizen in this country the right to offer their opinions and speak about injustices they feel," Williver said. "Our goal as your Police Department is to make sure that when citizens use this right, all parties involved can be heard and are kept safe."

The Chester protest is the latest in a series of protests sparked by the Death of George Floyd. Floyd, 46, died Monday after being handcuffed and pinned to the ground by Minneapolis Police Department officer Derek Chauvin, who pressed his knee on his neck for several minutes while three other officers looked on.Video footage of the arrest, in which Floyd is heard saying "I can't breathe," spread widely online, and all four officers were fired. Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter on Friday.

For his part, Williver said it was a "horrific and abhorrent incident" and extended condolences to the family, friends, and relatives of George Floyd while noting that they do not condone those actions and behaviors of the officers involved. He also outlined local trainings and initiatives.

"Please know that our officers are continuously and consistently training about racial profiling, harassment, ethics, cultural diversity, use of force, dealing with mental illness, and substance abuse. We’ve made a commitment as a Department to provide tools and equipment to our officers so that they have alternatives to the use of deadly force as well as training in de-escalation techniques," Williver said. "As we move forward in a positive direction from this incident, our Police Department will continue to build and maintain our positive relationships with our residents. We are committed to solidarity and not division."

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