Ceremony honoring police before HS game sends 'frightening message,' ACLU says

NJ.com ^ | October 23, 2016 | Alex Napoliello

[Freeport]

MIDDLETOWN — A ceremony honoring law enforcement, military and first responders before a high school football game Friday night drew criticism from the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey because of an underlying "frightening message."

The ceremony was held before a highly-anticipated Shore Conference clash between two topped ranked teams in the state, Middletown South and Toms River North.

The ceremony, organized by Middletown police Deputy Chief Stephen Dollinger, featured State Police Pipes and Drums of the Blue and Gold, state and local mounted units, military personnel from all branches of service and officers from surrounding police departments and sheriff's units.

It also honored the Linden police officer who was wounded in a shootout with Ahmad Khan Rahimi, who is accused of bombings in Seaside Park, Elizabeth and New York City.

Dollinger told the Asbury Park Press before the event that the ceremony was also meant to respond to pro athletes who have taken a knee during pre-game performances of the national anthem, most notably by San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

"It's OK to stand up for social justice, inequality and reform," Dollinger told the newspaper. "It's another thing to not stand up for the national anthem."

Those comments caught the attention of the ACLU of New Jersey, who condemned the ceremony in a letter written to Middletown High School South officials.

"As initially described, the event appeared to honor police officers, veterans, service members, and first responders," the ACLU wrote to the district. "According to press reports, however, the event is being used to intimidate and ostracize people who express their views about systemic racism and social just."

[Little Ray]

The ACLU was never about liberties.
It was about undermining the security of the US, using ‘liberty’ as a smokescreen.

[Little Ray]

The ACLU was never about liberties.
It was about undermining the security of the US, using ‘liberty’ as a smokescreen.

[I want the USA back]

The message of hate preached by BLM is frightening. The hatred for this country by ACLU is frightening.

[PIF]

Your “Dear ACLU” was never about anything other than pushing a socialist/communist agenda.

[ManHunter]

FtACLU!

[sportutegrl]

Unless you watched the presentation, read the book, saw the movie, etc., your opinion isn’t worth spit. (To the ACLU here)

[Mollypitcher1]

The ACLU is a Communist organization.....
......................................................
and Communists swear to destroy our patriotism. Stand up and fight against any and all attempt to change our culture of Law and Order supporting Patriotism,!

[Molon Labbie]

This.

The state of Missouri has had mandated racial profile reporting by police for the last 16 years and NOT ONCE have they been able to indict an officer on racial bias.

I am not saying there are racist cops, there are. But they are not stopping people because they are racist, they are stopping them because they committed an offense.

Now, trust this. If the racial SJWs could find a way to screen anyone for racist thoughts, they would. But you had better believe it would not be turned inwardly and only a certain segment of the society (W/M) would be screened as they are the original oppressor.