ACLU-NJ Raises Concerns about Free Speech Rights at Christie Town Hall
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: 212-549-2666, media@aclu.org
NEWARK – The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey (ACLU-NJ) is concerned about news reports that the State Police is photographing critics of Gov. Chris Christie at town hall meetings.
PolitickerNJ reported a plainclothes individual snapping photos of protesters at a Christie town hall in South River on Tuesday. According to the website, the photographer identified himself as a member of the State Police.
The following is a statement from Udi Ofer, executive director of the ACLU-NJ:
“It raises serious First Amendment concerns that the State Police may be photographing protesters at Gov. Christie’s town hall meetings,” said Udi Ofer, executive director of the ACLU of New Jersey. “The State Police must come clean and explain to New Jerseyans whether it has a practice or policy of photographing people engaged in First Amendment protected speech. New Jerseyans must be able to express their viewpoints without having to fear police officers photographing them and creating political dossiers on them.”
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