NJ ACLU Rips Police Tribute At Middletown South-Toms River North Football Game, Calling It 'Troubling' And 'Chilling'

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — The New Jersey chapter of the ACLU has sent a letter to Middletown school officials criticizing a rally meant to salute first-responders as "chilling" to civil rights and liberties.

A large ceremony honoring law enforcement officials at the state and local level and other first-responders was held before the Middletown South-Toms River North football game on Friday.

Officials publicized the ceremony as a response to protests over the National Anthem by professional athletes, which has become so heated that New Jersey students have gotten into fights over it.

“It's OK to stand up for social justice, inequality and reform," Deputy Chief Stephen Dollinger told the Asbury Park Press before the game. "It's another thing to not stand up for the national anthem."

"We were shocked to read that the deputy police chief explained that this event was a counter-protest to NFL player Colin Kaepernick’s peaceful and silent effort to raise awareness of police violence and social oppression in communities of color," the NJ ACLU wrote in a letter it sent to school officials (you can read it in full here).

School officials took care to leave room for all points of view, Superintendant William George said in a statement.

"As a result of this event, there have been discussions regarding citizens’ and students’ opportunity to express their first amendment rights. In that regard, provisions were made prior to the event," George wrote. "The police and the school district made available a prominently placed protest area in front of the school. No one chose to protest."

George described the school community as "dressed in red, white and blue, [chanting] ‘USA’ and [waving] flags" and as showing an "overwhelming display of patriotism."

The ACLU wrote that their concern was not with the ceremony itself, but with the effect it might have on protesters who choose to sit for the anthem.

"The First Amendment protects their right to kneel, sit or stand, and they may not suffer adverse consequences for doing so," the ACLU's letter said. "We understand that the national anthem raises strong feelings, but for more than 70 years, the law has been clear that students may not be compelled into patriotism by their government."

Dollinger told the Asbury Park Press his comments had been "twisted" by the ACLU. He told the paper, "I said we respect the rights of everybody to stand up for social justice and equality and reform, but we also respect our country and want to celebrate the first responders, the national anthem."

Reactions among Middletown residents to the ceremony were generally positive, with many taking to Facebook to condemn the ACLU's letter.

"In this day and age when our police force is always under attack for something, I think it was awesome!" Maureen Hansen Bulmer told Patch. "The ACLU should keep their noses out of it. What a great way to show support and respect our police and first responders."

Other were sympathetic to the Black Lives Matter movement while still supporting the ceremony.

"I support our law enforcement and first responders. I also support Black Lives Matter to protest peacefully to bring about change against the bad apples in law enforcement," Bobbie Mui Pirro said. "Just like any group and profession, in my honest opinion, [police are] 80% good people and 20% bad apples."

The ceremony happened before a stadium packed with students and community members, many of whom wore red, white and blue. Middletown South lost to Toms River North, with a final score of 41-21.

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