Jersey City activists marched to the steps of City Hall in a rally against “police brutality” on Wednesday evening, just one day after Mayor Steven Fulop said a gunman was fatally shot by a police officer.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
“Members of the JCPD Street Crimes Unit observed an individual acting suspiciously and noticed a bulge in his clothing consistent with a possible firearm. When officers approached, the individual opened fire on a JCPD officer. The officer returned fire, striking the suspect,” Fulop wrote on X Tuesday, as HCV first reported.
According to the preliminary investigation by the state Attorney General’s Office, officers assigned to the Jersey City Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit encountered the decedent in the area of Bergen and Virginia avenues shortly after Tuesday at 1:00 a.m.
Gunfire was exchanged, the civilian was struck, and a gun was recovered at the scene. Emergency medical aid was provided before the wounded civilian was transported to the Jersey City Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 1:44 a.m.
Doris Toni Ervin, aunt of the late Andrew Washington III who was fatally shot by a police officer in the midst of mental health crisis while wielding a knife, wanted the city to enact a Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) with subpoena power.
She also emphasized that this is why elected leadership matters on the local level.
“It is important that we talk to our family and friends and tell them how important it is for us to get out and vote, especially locally,” she argued, noting that residents need to be proactive, drawing applause, lamenting low voter turnout in the past.
“When voter turnout is lower, oversight is low and power goes unchecked. We need to get out there,” Ervin said.
She also said communities most impacted by police brutality often have low turnout and then suffer because of it.
“We’re the ones that get the least respect … but if you don’t come out and vote we don’t get to change these things,” she asserted.
Ervin also encouraged voters to ask the candidates for their positions on a CCRB with subpoena power and funding mental health responders to 911 calls before taking President Donald Trump’s (R) administration to task.
“Most of our civil rights are being rolled back! … Cities are now being infiltrated with the national guard, the army. I haven’t seen our Jersey City politicians that is a strong stance against these things,” Ervin declared, noting that most candidates and electeds weren’t in attendance.
“Let’s demand accountability and insist on justice. With love’s courage we will aways be stronger than fear. We have a President that wants to give blanket immunity …Y ou can go around shooting people.”
Candidates who did attend included mayoral hopeful Mussab Ali, Democratic nominee for state Assembly in the 32nd Legislative District Katie Brennan, council-at-large hopeful Tina Nalls, and Ward D council hopeful Jake Ephros.
During public portion during the council neeting, activist Gina Davison was critical of the administration as a whole.
“Justice for Drew! We just walked for Drew and for the national day against police brutality. This week, when the mayor did it again,” she began.
“He made an announcement about a justified shooting without speaking to the family members of Teshawn Roger. Say his name! Teshawn Roger, who was shot and killed by the police this week.”
Davison said their Justice for Drew signs are fraying with age, as the campaign for justice has lasted longer than they expected. A state grand jury determined that police’s actions were justifiable, while a civil suit against the city is still pending.
“It’s been two years since he was shot …T he window for redemption is closing for some of you. It’s already closed for others!”
Davison thanked Ward C Councilman Rich Boggiano, Ward F Councilman Frank “Educational” Gilmore, and Ward E Councilman James Solomon for “listening to the people and speaking on their behalf and not being another person who rubber stamps what this mayor wants to see.”
Edward Perkins also said that he did not like Fulop speaking about the incident prior to the AG’s Office and echoed points the group made outside City Hall.
“Provide a CCRB for us. The State will have to work on that, what power and teeth it has. Start building the trust back into the police department,” he said.
“… Members of the public are upset at this latest police shooting. Have any of you reached out to the family? It’s the human thing to do.”
Nalls, who is running on Ali’s ticket and is also a council aide to Gilmore, exclaimed “Justice for Drew!” which was matched from other activists in the audience.
“I didn’t really like what the mayor said about what happened in our community because he never comes into our community … The ones behind the mayor messed up everything in our community,” she claimed, as well as that nonprofits are underfunded and have little support.
“Y’all did build that big [public] safety building in our community for no reason because it has not been safety in our community.”
Ward E council candidate Eleana Little, who is running on Ward E Councilman James Solomon’s ticket, also said “Justice for Drew!” and called for the full implementation of the ARRIVE Together program i the city.
Prior to the rally or meeting, Public Safety Director James Shea called on the AG’s Office to release the body camera footage from the incident.
“Our Street Crimes Unit is among the most experienced and disciplined in the state, and they routinely de-escalate situations without force,” he said in a statement.
“On Tuesday, they faced an immediate threat to their lives. While it is always tragic when a life is lost, the facts will make clear that our officers responded lawfully, responsibly, and professionally to protect themselves and the community.”