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Police & Fire
US Government Sues Jersey Shore Town For Discriminating Against Orthodox Schools US Government Sues Jersey Shore Town For Discriminating Against Orthodox Schools
US Government Sues Jersey Shore Town For Discriminating Against Orthodox Schools Jackson Township is discriminating against Orthodox Jews through zoning ordinances that “intentionally restrict the operation of religious schools and housing associated with such schools,” including yeshivas, the U.S. Justice Department said Wednesday. The ordinances were enacted and used “against a backdrop of extreme [animosity] by Jackson residents and township decision makers toward the Orthodox Jewish community and a movement by residents to keep Orthodox Jewish community members from settling in Jackson,” the government contends in a lawsuit. Jackson’s planning board applied a pair o…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
LAWSUIT: 'Massively Overqualified' Hackensack Teacher Was Denied 18 Promotions Due To Age LAWSUIT: 'Massively Overqualified' Hackensack Teacher Was Denied 18 Promotions Due To Age
Lawsuit: 'Massively Overqualified' Hackensack Teacher Was Denied 18 Promotions Due To Age A Hackensack teacher has filed a lawsuit claiming she was denied 18 requested promotions because of her age and then retaliated against because she filed a complaint over the alleged discrimination. Mercedes Abreu Haines, 61, was moved from her role as assistant principal of the Jackson Avenue School to kindergarten teacher due to layoffs in 2011, according to the lawsuit, filed in New Jersey Superior Court this week. Haines' previous position was then filled by a younger, less qualified candidate, the suit says. Haines filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, an…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
In Lawsuit, Black Linden Firefighters Say Ex-Chief Regularly Used 'N-Word' In Lawsuit, Black Linden Firefighters Say Ex-Chief Regularly Used 'N-Word'
In Lawsuit, Black Linden Firefighters Say Ex-Chief Regularly Used 'N-Word' A lawsuit was filed in Union County Superior Court this week alleging that Linden allowed its fire department to become a "racist environment."  The suit, announced at a press conference hosted by the New Jersey Clergy Coalition for Justice, was filed by two former firefighters, both African-American, who say they were regularly exposed to racist treatment, including use of the N-word by the former chief, Joseph Dooley.  The firefighters, Joseph Braxton and Mark Bullock, say that they were exposed to racist jokes and comments on a near-daily basis and were then threatened when the…

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by Paul Milo
News
Montclair Schools Face Discrimination Suits From White, Black Teachers: Reports Montclair Schools Face Discrimination Suits From White, Black Teachers: Reports
Montclair Schools Face Discrimination Suits From White, Black Teachers: Reports The school district in a community widely known for its commitment to diversity is facing lawsuits alleging racial, gender and religious discrimination, according to published reports. Kenneth Schnitzer, a 64-year-old Montclair High School teacher, claims in his suit that he was passed over for promotion several times in favor of younger, non-white candidates, NJ.com reported. Schnitzer, who is Jewish, also said in the suit that there are no Jews among the district’s administrators. Six teachers at another Montclair school, Glenfield Middle School, say in their lawsuit that the district di…

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by Paul Milo
News
LAWSUIT: Bergen County-Owned Nursing Home Director Discriminated Against Non-Filipino Nurses LAWSUIT: Bergen County-Owned Nursing Home Director Discriminated Against Non-Filipino Nurses
Lawsuit: Bergen County-Owned Nursing Home Director Discriminated Against Non-Filipino Nurses A federal lawsuit filed by four nurses claims the director of a Bergen County-owned nursing home discriminated against non-Filipino nurses and caused them to "fear for their jobs." Violetta Arcilla is accused of forcing out non-Filipino nurses, docking pay, wielding discipline unfairly and offering Filipino nurses better schedules, NorthJersey.com reports. Arcilla, whose Facebook page says she is from Belleville, has been at the helm of the 100-bed Rockleigh home since 2015, the article says. The suit was filed by Carmen Mabille, Maureen Beech, Rita Blaser and Barbara Masten last mont…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
No-Shave October? Yankee Fans Eye New State Law That Prohibits Facial Hair Discrimination No-Shave October? Yankee Fans Eye New State Law That Prohibits Facial Hair Discrimination
No-Shave October? Yankee Fans Eye New State Law That Prohibits Facial Hair Discrimination A New York State measure signed into law this week by Gov. Cuomo has some sports fans wondering what that could mean for the Yankees. The new law prohibits employers from what could be considered racial discrimination against workers by forcing them to do certain things with their hair. It’s intended to allow employees to keep dreadlocks, cornrows, braids, twists, and fades, among other styles, but it also has raised certain questions among followers of the neatly-trimmed Bronx bombers. Where have you gone, Sparky Lyle? Late New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner established a policy …

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
County Executive: Hackensack BOE Trustee Who Called LGBTQ Teaching 'Repugnant' Should Resign County Executive: Hackensack BOE Trustee Who Called LGBTQ Teaching 'Repugnant' Should Resign
County Executive: Hackensack BOE Trustee Who Called LGBTQ Teaching 'Repugnant' Should Resign Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco on Monday called for the resignation of a Hackensack School Board trustee who called new state laws that require teaching about LGBTQ history “repugnant.” “Bergen County’s diversity is one of our greatest strengths, and the thousands of people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender help make us all stronger, and help make all of our 70 communities stronger," Tedesco said. “It is important that we stand in solidarity against bigotry, violence, and discrimination and continue to reaffirm our commitment to equal rights for everyone, especiall…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
LAWSUIT: Madison Verizon Worker Says Colleagues Left Noose Of Wires Over Her Desk LAWSUIT: Madison Verizon Worker Says Colleagues Left Noose Of Wires Over Her Desk
Lawsuit: Madison Verizon Worker Says Colleagues Left Noose Of Wires Over Her Desk An African-American Verizon worker has filed a lawsuit against the company and her colleagues after she said she found a noose made of wires over her work area in Madison. Marisa Powell, 50, says her colleagues -- mostly comprised of white males -- had been harassing her for several months before she made the discovery in February, NJ.com reports. Powell, a 30-year Verizon employee and network technician, sought help from her supervisors and Verizon's human resources department repeatedly, and apparently futility, her attorney Robert R. Fuggi Jr. was quoted saying in the article. …

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by Cecilia Levine
News
LAWSUIT: Medical Supply Worker Who Found Noose In Englewood Hospital Says He Was Targeted LAWSUIT: Medical Supply Worker Who Found Noose In Englewood Hospital Says He Was Targeted
Lawsuit: Medical Supply Worker Who Found Noose In Englewood Hospital Says He Was Targeted A 58-year-old Englewood Hospital worker says he was targeted in a bias crime after finding a noose in his workspace and is suing the hospital for negligence. Patrick O’Reilly, who is 58 and African-American, had been working in the hospital's medical supply department for nearly a decade before finding the 3-foot noose in 2017, NorthJersey.com reports. He filed a complaint last May alleging the hospital failed to protect him from discrimination and did not “observe and enforce rules regarding bullying and victimization of employees,” the report says. Englewood Hospital admit to r…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
LAWSUIT: Becton High School's First Female Sup't Alleging Gender Discrimination LAWSUIT: Becton High School's First Female Sup't Alleging Gender Discrimination
Lawsuit: Becton High School's First Female Sup't Alleging Gender Discrimination Henry P. Becton Regional High School's first female superintendent who last summer was placed on administrative leave has filed a gender discrimination suit against the district, the school board and its president. Louise Clarke -- who was quietly placed on administrative leave last October -- says that she was verbally abused and harassed for being a woman in the high-level role, NorthJersey.com reports. The suit -- in Superior Court earlier this month -- claims that district Business Administrator Nicholas Annitti of asking her if she was having sex with another emplo…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
New NJ Civil Rights Director Rachel Wainer Apter Of Englewood Boasts Prestigious Law Record New NJ Civil Rights Director Rachel Wainer Apter Of Englewood Boasts Prestigious Law Record
New NJ Civil Rights Director Rachel Wainer Apter Of Englewood Boasts Prestigious Law Record Rachel Wainer Apter of Englewood already had a distinguished resume when New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal appointed her Thursday as the new director of the state Division on Civil Rights. Apter, 38, most recently has served as Grewal’s counsel on civil right and immigration – and led the New Jersey team that defeated a motion by Texas and seven other states to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). “This is a unique time for civil rights law in New Jersey,” Apter said. “While civil rights are under siege at the national level, the New Jersey legislature has been dram…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
Mahwah Settles State Lawsuit Charging Township With Discriminating Against Orthodox Jews Mahwah Settles State Lawsuit Charging Township With Discriminating Against Orthodox Jews
Mahwah Settles State Lawsuit Charging Township With Discriminating Against Orthodox Jews Mahwah has settled a lawsuit brought by state authorities accusing the township of discriminating against Orthodox Jews primarily from Rockland County. A $350,000 payment from the town won’t have to be made if it can go four years without adopting any future ordinances “that impose similar, discriminatory restrictions,” Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said. Grewal's predecessor, Acting Attorney General Christopher Porrino, brought the suit last year after the Township Council adopted what his office said were two discriminatory ordinances -- one banning non-residents from using Mahwah’s p…

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by Jerry DeMarco