February 16, 2022… ADL New York/New Jersey today condemned an incident that occurred yesterday in Bridgewater, New Jersey. When Bridgewater police saw two youths fighting, the immediate reaction was to aggressively throw the Black 8th grader to the ground and restrain him. The white youth, at least equally at fault for the fight, was seated onto a couch and left alone to watch as the second officer joined the first in placing the Black child in handcuffs.  

“This incident is horrifying,” said ADL NY/NJ Regional Director Scott Richman. “The use of force was disproportionate, discriminatory, and entirely unnecessary – only further underscoring the traumatic impact.  We join the NAACP New Jersey State Conference in calling for an immediate investigation and accountability.” 

ADL is a leading anti-hate organization. Founded in 1913 in response to an escalating climate of antisemitism and bigotry, its timeless mission is to protect the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all. Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of hate with the same vigor and passion. ADL is the first call when acts of antisemitism occur. A global leader in exposing extremism, delivering anti-bias education and fighting hate online, ADL’s ultimate goal is a world in which no group or individual suffers from bias, discrimination or hate. More at www.adl.org.