White counterprotesters mock George Floyd’s killing
The protest in New Jersey township was similar to the ones that have taken place all over the United States since the murder of George Floyd by police – close to 70 people gathered to rally against police brutality and systemic racism.
But as the diverse group marched on Monday, waving signs and chanting slogans in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, it was met by a number of white men who had gathered near a sign that said “All Lives Matter” and in front of a pickup truck draped with an American flag and pro-Trump sign.
One of the men confronted the marchers aggressively as he kneeled on the neck of another who was facedown on the ground – an apparent attempt to mock the killing of Mr Floyd.
The mayor and police chief in Franklin Township were quick to issue a statement regarding the scene, calling it “revolting” and that it had left them “appalled and saddened.”
On Tuesday, the state’s Department of Corrections said it had suspended one of its employees after confirming that he was among the group that taunted and tried to rile the protesters up. Another man can be seen on video filming the protesters.
“We have been made aware that one of our officers from Bayside State Prison participated in the filming of a hateful and disappointing video that mocked the killing of George Floyd,” the Corrections Department said in a statement that also pledged “a thorough and expedited investigation.”
The department did not reveal the name of the officer in question, but officials said he was a senior corrections police officer who joined the Corrections Department in March 2002 and worked at a youth detention facility in Bordentown until January 2019, when he moved to the Bayside prison in Leesburg.
Gov. Philip D. Murphy called the counterprotesters’ actions “repugnant.”
“We won’t let the actions of a few distract from our progress toward dismantling systemic racism,” Mr. Murphy said in a statement.
FedEx also confirmed that one of its employees had also taken part in the counterprotest and had been fired as a result.
“We do not tolerate the kind of appalling and offensive behaviour depicted in this video,” the company said in a statement.
Daryan Fennal, who organised the protest was emotional at the scenes that unfolded in front of them.
“I was crying, immediately,” she said. “I was thinking about the kids who were marching behind me. That’s not something easily unseen.”
In addition to mocking Mr. Floyd’s death, she said, the men on the side of the road had yelled, “If George Floyd would have complied he wouldn’t be dead”; “Go cash your checks”; “Start running”; and “Black Lives Matter to no one” as the group passed.
But Ms Fennal said the hatred shown from a select few hasn’t dimmed her passion, or that of others, to continue protesting against injustice.
“There are more people who are encouraged, even more so, to stand up and march alongside us and help black people who are facing systematic racism,” she said.