Local governments in the state of New Jersey – including Asbury Park, Atlantic City, the City of Trenton, and other places in Mercer County – have implemented curfews in response to the nationwide protests in support of Black lives, police accountability, and against police violence.

The following statement can be attributed to ACLU-NJ Executive Director Amol Sinha:

“The use of broad curfews is a disturbing development, for a wide range of reasons: specifically targeting First Amendment activities – including the arrests of members of the press, placing limits on free movement, and creating an opening for the exact type of racially disparate enforcement in policing that has brought us to this moment. Selective and biased enforcement, especially against Black people and other people of color, remains a grave concern, and curfews can undermine transparency and accountability by preventing the press from covering law enforcement’s response to public events.

“We call on our leaders in Asbury Park, Atlantic City, and Mercer County, along with people in positions of power throughout the state, to govern within the bounds of the Constitution, and to avoid overly broad limits on the rights of all people.”

# # #