Glen Rock Leaders 'Disgusted' Over Radio Hosts' 'Hate Speech'

GLEN ROCK, NJ — Local officials have responded strongly to "hate speech" comments two New Jersey radio hosts made about state Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, a borough native.

Mayor Bruce Packer said he was "disgusted" over the comments. (See related: 2 NJ 101.5 Radio Hosts Suspended After 'Hate Speech' Toward AG)

"I hope that people will react by first, never listening to a radio station that would hire or retain hosts that exhibit such a high level of cultural ignorance and indifference, and second, take the time to learn the significance of the Sikh dastaar, or turban, and the beauty of the message and beliefs underlying Sikhism," Packer said. "We all have a choice when we see something that is unfamiliar. We can assume or judge, or we can learn. I hope that more and more people will continue to choose the latter."

Glen Rock Councilman Bill Leonard said the comments were "absolutely unacceptable."

"I hope that we haven't gotten to a point in our political discourse where we revert to using slurs towards people we have political disagreements with," Leonard said. "I certainly disagree with many of Attorney General Grewal's stances, but I can also say that he is a great man who cares deeply about the state of New Jersey. I believe 101.5 has made the right decision removing the two hosts indefinitely from their show."

Dennis Malloy and Judi Franco were talking about Grewal's recent decision to ask prosecutors to adjourn marijuana prosecutions. Malloy said he couldn't remember Grewal's name, and told Franco "I'm just going to say the guy with the turban." Franco then called him "turban man."

Grewal is a Sikh American and wears a turban. He responded to the comments on Twitter: "My name, for the record, is Gurbir Grewal. I'm the 61st attorney general of New Jersey. I'm a Sikh American. I have three daughters. And yesterday, I told them to turn off the radio."

Leonard said that the people of the Sikh community in Glen Rock "are some of the best people you will ever meet."

NJ 101.5 took Malloy and Franco off the air after the remarks were made.

"We are aware of the offensive comments made by Dennis and Judi during today's broadcast," NJ 101.5 announced. "We have taken immediate action and have taken them off the air until further notice. We are investigating the matter and will have further comment shortly."

Bergen County Executive James Tedeso III said he was "appalled and angry" that Grewal was mocked for his race and faith.

"I am proud that this distinguished public servant calls Bergen County his home and grateful to call him my friend," Tedesco said. "Good people of every background understand that language like this has no place in our public dialogue.”

Governor Phil Murphy issued a statement about the remarks Wednesday night.

"Hate speech has no place in New Jersey, and it does not belong on our airwaves," Murphy said. "Station management must now hold the hosts accountable for these intolerant and racist comments."

Email daniel.hubbard@patch.com

YouTube photo/video