We stand in solidarity with New Jerseyans against the targeted and forceful removal of Executive Director of NJWFA, Sue Altman, from yesterday’s public EDA hearing. With video recordings of the appalling incident and with many witnesses in the room, including journalists, it was clear that Ms. Altman was targeted for removal when she was not in the vicinity of those “entire back line of people” instructed by Senator Bob Smith [D-17] to be removed from the hearing.

No matter the political party or issue at hand, the critical need of a public hearing is the establishment of rules that would enable a civil proceeding with open testimony from all the stakeholders so that a complete picture can be seen. That cannot be achieved when at the start, open seating is reserved or stacked with supporters of one side giving a skewed level of support to the members of the Select Committee and the attendees, including journalists, in the room. Access cannot be denied to public members or to people deemed in opposition to those in power. These are just basic rules of fairness that doesn’t require one to have a background in law to clearly see. When you have members of the public restricted from attending due to those stacked seats, is it surprising when they resort to clapping or booing in order for their voice to be heard? Cause-effect. Action-reaction.

Balancing these needs is no easy task but yesterday, Senator Bob Smith clearly failed in his responsibility to hold a fair hearing and all members of the Select Committee should speak out. The failure is clear: we are not talking about the tax incentives and whether or not they benefit New Jersey taxpayers. All that is clear from the hearing is the targeted removal of a known state leader who is a vocal opponent of the one unelected person in power who seems to have personally benefited from the tax incentives – George Norcross.

Yesterday, it was also reported in the San Francisco Chronicle that the NJ Attorney General will discuss this attendee’s removal with the Senator Bob Smith [D-17], Chairman of the select committee, and we look forward to Attorney General Gurbir Grewal’s statement after his office’s finding.

We ask all members of the State Legislature to speak out forcefully against this blatant targeting of a Ms. Altman, known to be a state leader in asking for transparency with the EDA hearings. No matter the party, wrong is wrong. Stand up for democracy, fairness, and transparency.

Uyen “Winn” Khuong
Founder and Executive Director
Action Together New Jersey – ATNJ