The Middlesex Black-Jewish Coalition stands with its member and new co-chair, Edina Brown.

On March 7, 2021, Councilwoman Brown, an elected representative to the Township Council of Old Bridge, New Jersey, received a letter containing a vile, racist attack and a direct threat to her safety. Two days later, on March 9, the letter was read into the public record at a council meeting. It is filled with vile, foul insults directed at the Black community and at Councilwoman Brown. In conclusion, the author tells her, “I don’t know how your [n******] [a**] gets elected in this Republican township but I’m sure as hell going to do everything in my power to get your [n******] [a**] out of there.”

Residents of New Jersey: this is a threat against one of our elected officials. It happened here, now, in our state. A threat against one of us is a threat to us all.

What will each of us do in its wake?

The Middlesex Black-Jewish Coalition condemns this racist, malicious attack against Councilwoman Brown and is committed to bringing it to light. We call on the office of the Attorney General of New Jersey to investigate this incident fully and press charges swiftly. We stand together with victims of racism, antisemitism, and bigotry in all its forms. Furthermore, the governing leadership and the community of Old Bridge must publicly denounce this act of hate, and stand together with Councilwoman Brown to encourage unity and equity in their township.

If you’ve experienced a hate or bias crime, report it now:  https://www.nj.gov/oag/bias/downloads/Bias-Flier.pdf

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About MBJC

Our mission is to increase the understanding of, and interaction between, Jewish and Black people through dialogue and programming. We advocate on an ad-hoc basis with definitive action to particular issues of concern to the Jewish and Black communities, and provide a mechanism whereby each community can express its support for the critical issues of the other community.