New Jersey State Police Superintendent Col. Pat Callahan announced on April 29 a Medford woman was charged for violating Gov. Phil Murphy’s executive order No. 104 for gathering people in public.
The organizer who was identified as Stephanie Hazelton and whose tax records show is a Medford Township resident was charged with violating Executive Order No. 104.
Murphy, during his daily press briefings, admitted his personal stance on the protests, but added it is people’s right to do so; He requested protestors to adhere to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the state. The state currently has 116,264 positives as of deadline.
“People have a right to protest,” Murphy said. “I just wish they would do it from home. I don’t agree with them on this. Please don’t claim that we’re not patriotic by flying the American flag and implying that we don’t fly it — I personally fly five at my house. I love my country, I love my state. We all do. We’re trying to save lives.”
Protestors were seen across social media and various news organizations calling the governor’s mandates unconstitutional and begging for the state to reopen to regenerate wealth for small businesses and to allow for outdoor recreation to fully resume. Several groups have made smaller-scaled protests across the state.
Hazelton was cited for organizing people to congregate en masse at the capitol building, Callahan noted.
“The executive orders don’t prohibit people from exercising their right to protest, but they are very clear, especially EO107 and others, about the ban on gatherings,” he shared. “The tough part with that backdrop in mind with law enforcement has to put boots on the ground, like yesterday (April 28).
“We need to make decisions on how to engage with those protestors.”
Any further protests planned around the state had been notified by the state police at the direction of Callahan to adhere to social distancing and wear face coverings.
“If that’s not in place and we don’t witness that, then you will be cited accordingly with a violation of an executive order,” he mentioned.
