News
STATEMENT FROM NORTHEAST REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL ACTION NETWORK REV. STEFFIE BARTLEY ON POLICE RESPONSE TO BRIDGEWATER MALL FIGHT
—
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 16, 2022
Contact:
Rachel Noerdlinger [email protected]
Emma Brodsky [email protected]
STATEMENT FROM NORTHEAST REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL ACTION NETWORK REV. STEFFIE BARTLEY ON POLICE RESPONSE TO BRIDGEWATER MALL FIGHT
New York, NY (February 16, 2022) – Northeast Regional Director of National Action Network Rev. Steffie Bartley, Sr, issued the following statement today in response to the video of police officers breaking up a fight between two teenagers at the Bridgewater Commons Mall in New Jersey. The footage shows officers arresting 14-year-old Z’kye, who is Black. The other teenager involved, who is white, was not arrested.
“I have seen the videos regarding the excessive force incident at the Bridgewater Mall. The video that I have seen is quite disturbing and suggests implicit bias as it relates to the police officers’ response. Why was the young Black man on the ground with handcuffs while the young white man was sitting on the couch as if he were overseeing?
I applaud the Bridgewater Police Department for investigating this matter. I also call upon the AG’s office to investigate this matter to ensure these officers’ actions are not systemic to the Bridgewater Police Department training and standard operating procedures.
We are monitoring this incident very closely.
Regards,
Rev. Steffie Bartley, Sr.
Northeast Regional Director, National Action Network”
About National Action Network (NAN)
National Action Network is one of the leading civil rights organizations in the Nation with chapters throughout the entire United States. Founded in 1991 by Reverend Al Sharpton, NAN works within the spirit and tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to promote a modern civil rights agenda that includes the fight for one standard of justice, decency and equal opportunities for all people regardless of race, religion, nationality or gender. For more information go to www.nationalactionnetwork.net.