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Fanwood Chief Accused Of Racist, Sexist Comments Steps Down, Prosecutor's Office Takes Over Fanwood Chief Accused Of Racist, Sexist Comments Steps Down, Prosecutor's Office Takes Over
Fanwood Chief Accused Of Racist, Sexist Comments Steps Down, Prosecutor's Office Takes Over UPDATE: Fanwood Police Chief Richard Trigo has stepped down amid accusations that he made racist and sexist comments toward county and state officials. The Fanwood Police Department will be temporarily run by the Union County Prosecutor's Office. The Union County Prosecutor's Office said Trigo resigned Friday, however, his lawyer said he had previously put in his retirement papers and would be taking a leave of absence because a family member is ill. The prosecutor's office launched an investigation after Trigo was accused of saying former acting Union County Prosecutor Grace Park -- t…

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by Valerie Musson
News
Bergen County Students Launch BLM Website For Tri-State Area Activists Bergen County Students Launch BLM Website For Tri-State Area Activists
Bergen County Students Launch BLM Website For Tri-State Area Activists A pair of Bergen County high school students whose parents feared for their safety at rallies took activism into their own hands with the launch of a website dedicated raising awareness toward the Black Lives Matter movement. Upon recognizing need for a localized BLM resource, Rayyan Ahmed, 15, of Waldwick and Divyash Shah, 14, of Tenafly jumped to action -- bringing BLM NJ online last week. Ahmed and Shah, both rising sophomores at Bergen County Academies, initially wanted to dive headfirst into the movement through active participation in protests and riots. That idea didn’t sit well wit…

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by Valerie Musson
News
HelloFresh Cuts Ties With Bergen County Native Lea Michele Amid Racism Allegation HelloFresh Cuts Ties With Bergen County Native Lea Michele Amid Racism Allegation
HelloFresh Cuts Ties With Bergen County Native Lea Michele Amid Racism Allegation HelloFresh ended its partnership with Tenafly native Lea Michele amid a racism accusation made by her former "Glee" costar. Michele on Monday tweeted her support for George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement when Samantha Ware accused her of making her life a "living hell" while working together on the sixth season of the show.  “LMAO REMEMBER WHEN YOU MADE MY FIRST TELEVISON GIG A LIVING HELL?!?! CAUSE ILL NEVER FORGET,” Ware, 28, said in the tweet. “I BELIEVE YOU TOLD EVERYONE THAT IF TOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY YOU WOULD ‘S–T IN MY WIG!’ AMONGST OTHER TRAUMATIC MICROAGR…

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by Cecilia Levine
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
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