JACKSON – Twenty police officers stood between two loud groups of protestors during a recent rally at Veterans Memorial Park.
The protest concerned those who supported a ceasefire in Gaza and for the U.S. to withdraw military aid from Israel – and counter protestors who expressed the view that the strikes by Israel’s leadership were essential to rid the region of Hamas forces.
Approximately 100 people were among the protesters and counter-protesters, often screaming at each other and at times using expletives. At one point a small plane flew overhead displaying a large Star of David and the word “Israel” written under its wings.
Both sides exchanged strong words and accusations while carrying Palestinian flags and Israeli flags. One person had a “blue line” flag supporting police officers and a Trump 2024 flag, with the slogan “Save America.”
Members of the controversial Proud Boys, a far-right extremist group were also present supporting the pro-Israel protestors and waving American flags.
Jackson police formed a line between both protest groups. Police Chief Matthew Kunz told The Jackson Times, “By all accounts the event went well. Those who organized the protest/rally, and those “counter-protestors” all assembled lawfully, then dispersed at the conclusion of the event. There was some pre-event outreach to a perceived organizer, and real-time dialogue between our staff and participants during the event.”
Chief Kunz said from his perspective, “appropriate planning by the police department, organized through a competent event plan drafted by Captain (John) Giovanetti ensured our preparedness. A reasonable number of support personnel from our agency, Lakewood Police Department, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office were available and assisted or were on standby as needed.”
“The uniformed police officers did an exceptional job of monitoring the event, and passively keeping the different parties separated as they voiced their respective opinions,” the chief added.
Kunz responded to a question concerning one media outlet’s claim that news media had been restricted to where they could stand at the scene by police, “nobody, to specifically include any ‘media’ was turned away to my knowledge.”
“The on-scene supervisor tasked with managing the police presence, Lt. Fred Meabe, at one point requested that the small Veterans Memorial Gardens lot be closed to additional vehicles, presumably due to it being at or near capacity, in addition to the numerous pedestrians occupying the parking lot and memorial site,” the chief added.
The chief explained, “an Ocean County Sheriff’s Department officer then used their vehicle to block the entrance, and police officers instructed any subsequently-arriving vehicles to find lawful parking elsewhere and walk to the site. Nobody was turned away, or restricted from being present, from viewing the event or participating in it, but some vehicles were simply directed to park elsewhere.”
“One individual was briefly interviewed, as a suspicious bulge was observed under their clothing. It was quickly determined that they were wearing a belt which was excessive in length, and the additional length of belt was coiled up under their shirt. That encounter was reported to have lasted but a few moments,” Kunz stated.
Chief Kunz said, “I’m confident the event, from a policing perspective, was managed quite competently, and were there to be a subsequent event, our planning would be similar.”
One protestor posed the question if those in favor of the ceasefire supported Hamas, the terrorist group that attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, while a Pro-Palestinian protestor asked if their counterparts supported genocide in regards to Israel’s response and the death toll of civilians in Gaza. The protestors started to disperse after two hours.
Mayor Michael Reina stated a few days prior to the rally, when social media posts revealed plans for the protest by pro-Palestinian organizers, “we have several agencies looking into the origin of this online message. I can assure everyone that we did not authorize any parade or gathering, nor was a permit issued.”
The mayor said, “at this time, we are not aware who the creator(s) are, but that will not stop us from being vigilant.”
Reina also said that a Jackson Township counter terrorism officer visited a resident’s home on May 14 to inform them that they would need a permit for the rally.
The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization criticized the mayor’s remarks saying the rally was a “planned pro-Palestinian peaceful protest.”
CAIR-NJ called the mayor’s statements inappropriate and hostile. “By telling the community to remain vigilant in the face of peaceful assembly creates the harmful rhetoric that pro-Palestinian protestors are dangerous, violent and even implicitly criminal.”
“The mayor calling upon agencies and sending a police officer, specifically one designated for counter-terrorism to the home of a presumed organizer is superfluous,” the statement added.
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