The Perth Amboy Area Branch NAACP would like to acknowledge Senator Joe Vitale, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, and Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez for issuing a joint statement denouncing the terrifying presence of the Proud Boys in Woodbridge Township. It is reassuring to know that when local officials fail to stand up against hatred, we can count on our state leaders to set the example.

As reported on February 23rd by the Woodbridge Patch news, “For months now, some Woodbridge residents [including members of the NAACP] have been calling on [Woodbridge Mayor John] McCormac [and other township officials] to denounce the Proud Boys. So far, McCormac has refused and appears to ignore their requests.” The article continues, “In response to the NAACP’s request this week, McCormac said in a statement given through a spokesman: ‘The Township of Woodbridge denounces hatred in all forms and in all venues. It goes without saying that hate has no place in Woodbridge.’”

It is very disappointing that it took a joint statement from civil rights organizations in order to get a response, which was only given through a spokesperson to the media rather than replying to the email sent from the Perth Amboy Area Branch NAACP. Woodbridge Township officials’ repeated refusal to denounce the Proud Boys is unacceptable. Silence is complicity, and we must NEVER remain silent when a defined terrorist hate group targets our community (or any community).

Moving forward, we sincerely hope that Woodbridge Township elected and appointed officials will begin meeting with the Perth Amboy Area Branch NAACP, as there is clearly much work to be done.