A New Jersey woman was cited by police for organizing a protest against the state’s stay at home order.
The state attorney general’s office said:
Kim Pagan of Toms River was charged by the New Jersey State Police with violating the emergency orders by organizing a prohibited event today in Trenton in which protesters gathered outside the State House and at other locations in Trenton to demonstrate against the Governor’s Executive Orders.
The protestors gathered outside the New Jersey Statehouse and other locations in Trenton on Friday afternoon as Murphy and state health officials held their daily coronavirus press briefing, according to a story by NJ.com.
A quarter-mile from where @GovMurphy and health commissioner told reporters that social distancing was working, this maskless, open-Jersey demo popped up. Peak has yet to hit Central/South. Movement using these hashtags: #ReopenNewJersey #ReopenAmerica pic.twitter.com/plkdjDeoEr
— Elise Young (@EliseOnDeadline) April 17, 2020
New Jersey has now seen at least 78,467 confirmed cases and 3,840 deaths of COVID-19.
Pagan has to answer to the charge in Municipal Court. Violations of emergency orders constitute a disorderly persons offense carrying a potential sentence of up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, Fox News reported.
Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal preached to the public, saying, “First responders have limited PPE. They should not be using it to break up gatherings or deal with violators who attack them. It’s nonsense. Don’t put our first responders through that. Take responsibility, because if you don’t, there will be consequences: https://bit.ly/2XLOEFu”
First responders have limited PPE. They should not be using it to break up gatherings or deal with violators who attack them. It’s nonsense. Don’t put our first responders through that. Take responsibility, because if you don’t, there will be consequences: https://t.co/IcHa9Bfapo
— Attorney General Matt Platkin (@NewJerseyOAG) April 18, 2020
Grewal also said, “Our police officers are working bravely and tirelessly every day to protect us during this health crisis. Regrettably, they are being called upon far too often to deal with people violating the emergency orders— or what is more egregious, people using the virus to spread fear or impede officers in their vital work,” said Attorney General Grewal. “Staying home and maintaining social distance isn’t just the best advice to stay healthy, it’s the law. Make no mistake, we will do everything in our power to keep our residents and officers safe, and that means we won’t hesitate to file charges against violators.”
The Twittersphere buzzed over the arrest:
“This is insanity. How much longer are these tyrants going to get away with unlawful citations and false arrests . Aren’t Constitutional rights in force anymore @GovMurphy . She must get an attorney ASAP”.
This is insanity. How much longer are these tyrants going to get away with unlawful citations and false arrests . Aren't Constitutional rights in force anymore @GovMurphy . She must get an attorney ASAP
— Pamnsc (@pamnsc) April 18, 2020
“Nobody wants this on our side, but if they arent careful? Civil War will break out! this is the biggest power grab since the 1770s. ppl got fed up then? and i see that happening now.
https://twitter.com/APfnS/status/1251369205108224000
Candace Owens said, “The absolute genius behind @realDonaldTrump yielding re-opening power to each state: We’ve spent the last 4 years listening to the Left claim Trump was an evil dictactor. Now we get to watch who the aspiring dictators really are.
…And they all just happen to be Democrats.”
The absolute genius behind @realDonaldTrump yielding re-opening power to each state:
We’ve spent the last 4 years listening to the Left claim Trump was an evil dictactor.
Now we get to watch who the aspiring dictators really are.…And they all just happen to be Democrats.
— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) April 18, 2020
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Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes.
Background Photo “New Jersey Protest” by Elise Young.
