West Orange Police Followed Protocol During Controversial Protest, Mayor Says

WEST ORANGE, NJ — West Orange police followed “all appropriate protocols” during a controversial protest that recently sparked a federal complaint from the U.S. Justice Department, the town’s mayor says.

During the November protest, several pro-Palestine demonstrators clashed with members of a local synagogue. Demonstrators said they were protesting a real estate seminar about buying property in Jerusalem, which they claimed is “stolen land.” Federal prosecutors have characterized the gathering as an “Israel real estate fair and ‘Ruach’ (spiritual) event.”

The politically linked chaos has seen claims of bias from both sides. Federal prosecutors filed a civil complaint involving the protest last month.

• See Related: Pro-Palestine Protester Assaulted In West Orange, Group Alleges
• See Related: Feds Accuse Protesters Of Instigating Controversial Clash In West Orange

On Monday, Mayor Susan McCartney released a statement about the protest and related “pending matters.” It reads:

“The Essex County prosecutor is the county chief law enforcement officer and, as such, is coordinating all aspects of the investigation of the November protest at a local West Orange synagogue.

“With regard to keeping the peace, it is my understanding that the West Orange Police Department followed all appropriate protocols in planning and executing the appropriate crowd safety measures. To the extent that the prosecutor or any other independent agency determines to review those protocols, the township shall fully cooperate and assist as requested.

“The prosecutor determines how and when complaints are investigated so as not to impinge on the office’s investigations and in order to preserve the integrity of the criminal charges and the rights of victims and defendants.

“The township is not a party to the separate civil rights complaint filed by the Department of Justice, which is a civil case involving particular organizations and individuals who are not township employees.

“Because of the unprecedented and politicization of the charges being hurled at the police department, I must reiterate that our police department is one of the few law enforcement agencies in New Jersey which is reviewed and accredited by an outside national agency Commission on the Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agency (CALEA). No credible allegations exist of bias in any of the police department’s actions in this or any matter.

“I stand by the courageous men and women of the West Orange police and fire departments, who serve our residents every day in a professional and compassionate manner.”

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.