Hoboken Police To Investigate Racial Slur Used In Council Meeting

Hoboken NJ

04 March, 2021

1:58 PM

Description

HOBOKEN, NJ — After an anonymous person used a racial slur several times in the chat part of a virtual Hoboken City Council meeting Wednesday night, the Hoboken police and council said Thursday that they'll investigate. "There are certain words that should never be said, ever, in any context whatsoever, which were sadly used at last night's virtual City Council meeting," said a joint statement issued by the nine council members and Mayor Ravi Bhalla on Thursday afternoon. "Hoboken will never stand for hate of any kind, and we forcefully denounce the individuals responsible for this behavior." They added, "We are confident that Police Chief Ken Ferrante will conduct a thorough investigation, and if it is proven that laws were broken, we will hold those accountable to the fullest extent of the law." Councilwoman Emily Jabbour said on her Facebook page, "At last night's City Council meeting, an individual made several inappropriate comments during the course of the Zoom meeting in the chat box directed to panelists at the meeting (including councilmembers and city staff). This (unnamed) individual then escalated and posted a racial slur several times over. The individual was removed from the Zoom meeting and the Hoboken Police Department immediately began to investigate. "We must speak truth to power and call out this incident as racist and unacceptable. The use of this racial slur at a community meeting is hurtful, inappropriate, and abusive; this incident does not represent the values of our Hoboken community – a fair and welcoming city. Each of us, particularly those of us who are elected officials, have a responsibility to engage in meaningful and honest discussion about the impact of these racist incidents on our community. I am committed to being an anti-racist leader in order to strive toward a more inclusive Hoboken." NBC reported that the racial slur was aimed at Black participants in the meeting, one of whom is on the council. The meeting can be viewed on Facebook here. On Saturday, Councilwoman Vanessa Falco posted on Facebook, "This is not over until justice is served... Hoboken Police Department One Police Plaza Hoboken Police Criminal Investigations Bureau I know you will do your best to find this perpetrator." Four years ago, anonymous racist flyers were spread around town during an election. No one has been charged. Be the first on your block to get Hoboken Patch breaking news updates when they happen, or sign up for a daily morning newsletter of local news. Sign up and give your preferences here. Got news? Email [email protected]. Got photos? Please include express written permission from the photographer for us to use them. To be the first to get free news alerts with breaking stories in your town, or to get a free local newsletter each morning, sign up for Patch breaking news alerts or daily newsletters.