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Subscribe to RSSA Newark, N.J., City Council meeting to decide who would fill a vacant council seat descended into chaos, with angry residents rushing the stage and police using pepper spray to end the near-riot, according to media reports.
Dozens of people rushed the stage Tuesday night after Mayor Cory Booker made a rare appearance at the meeting and cast the deciding vote to fill the vacancy left by Donald Payne Jr., who was elected to Congress, the Newark Star-Ledger reported.
Booker, invoking a law that gives the mayor a vote in the absence of a quorum, backed Shanique Davis Speight for the seat, raising the ire of many in the packed council chamber who supported John Sharpe James, the son of former mayor Sharpe James. James is an avowed opponent of Booker, who lost to James’ father in the 2002 mayoral race before winning in 2006.
An attempt was made to swear in Speight, but people in the audience protested, with some chanting, "Cory's gotta go!" Several people in the audience shouted and gestured animatedly toward the stage, ignoring appeals to sit down.
“People in the crowd stood up and said it was unlawful,” South Ward Councilman Ras Baraka told the Montclair Patch.
Speight was ultimately ushered out of the room and sworn in later by the city clerk.
Police moved in to try to control the crowd after a group, led by SEIU Local 617 President Rahaman Muhammad, rushed toward the dais, the Newark Star-Ledger reported. In the chaos, people were shoved, a podium was knocked over and an officer doused Muhammad with pepper spray, according to the Star-Ledger. Others in the hall snapped pictures and video of the chaos on their cellphones and tablet computers.
Earl Best, a community activist known as "Street Doctor," told the Montclair Patch he was also sprayed and had to go to a hospital for treatment. Baraka said his mother had also been sprayed, according to the Montclair Patch.
Muhammad was arrested and charged with assaulting Speight and City Clerk Robert Marasco, resisting arrest and inciting a riot, Police Director Samuel DeMaio told the Star-Ledger.
DeMaio said the officer’s use of the pepper spray will be reviewed but noted that it might be warranted in such a chaotic scenario.
"From what I see right now at face value, in the situation that they had there with the crowd surging toward the council desk … the officer made a decision," he said, according to the Star-Ledger.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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Leave a Comment:
Classless residents.
Good thing the Pepper Spray was handy!
Looks like Hillary's gonna have to fly back to Newark from Cairo to broker another cease-fire...
What "classes" citizens of "the community" in Newark!!
I can't help but notice the name of the "leader" of this union/riot. He is probably of middle eastern decent and believes violence is the only answer.
He probably thinks Hamas won, also. Although I'm having a hard time figuring out how your side loses 140 people, their side loses 5 people, most of your rockets are deflected, all of thiers hit counts as a "win".
And, uhm, you started this round, Hamas.
Wow--Newark's government works just like a third world country's! Who'd have thought it.
I wish the article had given more background about the dispute. I hate it when news sites rush something sketchy into print. The fact that there was a melee and anger tells me nothing. In a democracy things often get heated.
somebefuddledperson - you got all of that from the fact that his name MAY have been middle eastern? you know the definition of prejudice, right?
The largest single group of Muslims in the U.S. is made up of people who are native born, and descended from U.S. slaves.
It's Newark, NJ people. They're animals there. Are we surprised?
There's a fight over who is named to an empty council seat and suddenly they're animals????
Passionate about the law is more like it.
FOR THOSE OF YOU MAKING NEGATIVE COMMENTS, YOU NEED A SERIOUS IQ CHECK, OR ELIMINATION OF THE NEGATIVE STEREOTYPES THAT ARE IN YOUR SCHEMA. What these lack of substance reports fail to discuss is the fact that Newarkers have consistently been disrespected by Story Booker. The mass believe Story Booker is a great man, a superhero, he is nothing more than a salesman who spins himself. In reality, he has gutted and sold newark, constantly going against the peoples wishes and using un ethical, but legal, end arounds to forward his own political agenda. The majority of Newarkers are hard working, concerned citizens. They acted out this way because enough is enough, Booker is playing dirty and again, ignoring what the population of this city wants. Understand this, when a democracy becomes a dictatorship, a revolution is bound to occur, I am proud to live and work in Newark and thank the people who fought back against dictator booker. Story booker is a fraud, a sham, but has hired and pays a great PR firm to make him appear to be what he is not, image is not substance and true Newark concerned residents should be appauled and swing back at this fraud, Booker is a joke and the fact that the masses think he is a leader and a true mover and shaker proves that America is becoming moronic
Hmmm...obama is the same way
@TiredoftheUneducated.
Please do not compare animals to the citizenry of Newark. That post was downright disrespectful to the animals. LOL
Hi irish,
Maybe I'm the only one to notice the inconsistency within your post, or just the only one willing to write a response to you. After all, you did mention you live and work in Newark, and so a serious conversation might be just a fleeting hope for most people. But I'm a trooper.
So Booker, elected by the voters of the lovely vacation destination you call Newark, followed the law in order to cast a vote in favor of someone he supports rather than someone he doesn't. Followed the law according to you. And Booker, again according to you, is a dictator. So how is it that by following the law one becomes a dictator?
Maybe, and I know I am going far out on a limb here, the people supporting Booker's political opponent (people such as yourself perhaps) simply dislike the lawful application of a political desire. I have a solution...Next time Mr. Booker is up for election vote him out. Until then don't you have the story a bit backwards regarding who is, or isn't, unethical?
Cory Booker may have the right to vote for a replacement, but certainly cannot be tone deaf to people who are actually voters. It was Booker who came out against Obama for publicly spanking the wealthy for not paying their fair share of taxes (and not creating jobs even though they had tax breaks for the last four years), then had to change his mouth after he came under pressure for taking the wrong side. In the end, Obama was right, as the election result showed.
He does not have to bow down to a group who is at the meeting. They represent a small percentage of the people and not all of them so your argument is invalid.These people reacted to a legal and valid vote with violence and that is NOT the American way. well, not unless you are a TEA bagger.
Tea party does not act like these animals, the democrat base
More and more our elected leaders simply disregard their constituents wishes. A prime example would be President Obama, who forced a health care bill through without it even being fully read or understood, and it was not even seen as neccessary by the majority of the population.
Sorry GBA but Mayor Booker was doing what elected officials are supposed to do, followed the law. The small group at the meeting might not like the results but that doesn't mean he was doing anything BUT what the law and his duty required.
KevinR
You are one POS. Can you read? This "small percentage of the people" as you call them , were led by the SEIU. TEA PARTY you say? Pathetic liberals will lie about everything.
@ KevinR @ 2.1
If I am a TEAbagger, does that make you a Teabaggee? Do you want a sack of my hot nuts? (just saying, I get sacks of these peanuts that have been marinated in red peppers and roasted in the shell)
And Ditto to JH,... "led by SEIU Local 617 President Rahaman Muhammad." and it was SEIU thugs who beat up in independent vendor at a TEA Party rally several years ago...so who are the instigators of violence?
Tea party does not act like these animals, the democrat base
Wrong:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4BU8pfz2O4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5pdwTQ4xA8&feature=related
Booker actually came to the defense of Mitt Romney for a very legitimate reason although he cowardly backed down later due to pressure from the radical left. The reason he spoke up about Bain Capital was that he is desperately trying to revive Newark and getting the "rich" to invest in Newark is their ONLY hope. BTW, Bain Capital is headquartered in MASS where another black governor stood up for Bain knowing how valuable Bain is to MASS. BTW, it was Bain after Sandy that came out to match recovery contributions to help rebuild NJ. Careful who you bash, they just might take their money elsewhere.
They're a vocal minority, not representative of the majority.
Volume does not make one correct. It just makes one loud.
Don't forget that Booker's main patron was the Manhattan Institute. I haven't forgotten.
Just becuse a racist became President doesn't mean he was right... just means the majority of the People of the United States are stupid. Sorry folks, but you put a man that only cares about "Black America" (his words, not mine). This is just another GREAT example of intitlement. As far as the wealth paying more (not getting tax breaks), what mornon wouldn't give the 10% of the Nation that pay 90% of the taxes the ability to have more money to invest in America???? Who do you think they'll make up the (whatever $$ they lose)? It will be the American family... lose of jobs, increase of the costs of good, cost of transportation. Great Job America... you must love misery...
Two comments....'The son of Sharp James'...are you kidding me. Second, the President of the SEIU union...what would you expect. Class act in Newark!
American politics, getting worse every day. Instead of collaberation we fight, instead of comprimise we yell, very sad situatoin indeed.
This is the guy who is going to oust Christie and lead New Jersey ?....Cory decided that Shanique was the better choice over the will of the people. This is too funny, Cory first says that Bain Capital was pretty good from his perspective, and now he promotes his lackey to fill a seat against the majority of the city residents. That Cory is such a kidder....LOL
Over the people? Over Some people, in the room. It was up to the council to vote and the Mayor broke the tie. A Tie. His role, his right.
What will of the people? A group gathered at the meeting or a consensus of the total community? Dumb ass.
We certainly can't tell from this article if the crowd represented the will of the people at all. They clearly represented Cory's opposition which is why the guy didn't get the job. Do you think if Obama was in the same position he would have chosen the guy after his job? Really?
The entire room should have been arrested for disorderly conduct. That was chaos and ignorance all at the same time.
trouble1954 - the last polls I saw (multiple sources) showed the public against ObamaCare (as an entire package). So...sometimes the elected officials will make decisions that the public, in aggregate, do not support - in essence going "over the will of the people".
If it's okay on ObamaCare then it needs to be okay in this situation as well.
NOTE: I'm not expressing an opinion on either item individually; my comment is about what seems to be a double-standard.
Now only 33% of the people want to repeal ObamaCare so your numbers are not right.
Most people agreed with everything that was included in the Affordable Health Care Act when explained to them (ie. keeping kids on adult plans, no disqualifications for pre-existing conditions, etc.). It was only when the entire package in aggregate was demonized that some changed their views.
Secondly, the Presidential election essentially was a referendum on this health care act. Vote Obama, keep the Act, vote Romney, repeal the Act. Seems pretty clear where the majority stands on this issue.
And as more people learn the TRUTH about the Healthcare Act, that number will shrink even more. Remember, the majority of the American people wanted National Health Insurance. It was the Republicans who blocked it. Then, when they couldn't prevent the passage of any and all healthcare plans, they, along with Fox News, began a lying smear campaign about what the so-called Obama Healthcare Act does. I once had a Republican friend who told me it was OK to lie about something if you don't like it. It's shocking that the party of the Religious Right appears to think that's OK.
Sometimes leaders have to lead and make decisions that the people may disagree with but may turn out to be the best in the long run. I don't know if the 2010 health care reform will turn out to be one of them, but I do know that there were so many lies about that program that it was impossible for the average person to separate the truth from the lies.
A far better example would be the Iraq war. After the 2006 election resulted in loss of Republican control of both chambers of Congress, President Bush must have felt the pressure to start bringing troops home back sooner. However, he ultimately decided to go in the other direction and send more troops. That turned out to be the correct decision as the country was stabilized enough for the US military to leave in 2010-2011. Of course, George Bush didn't have to worry about re-election and McCain pretty much supported that policy anyway.
No Kevin, those are 2 different things. With the alleged re-election of Barack Obama, Repeal is off the table, that's over, unless Repubs get control of both Congress and the White House later. Boehner has publicly stated what we all know.
Whether Americans support it or not, is another thing. Repeal is over.
I saw that Huffington post poll you're talking about. If they polled "do you support the health care law or not" it would be much different.
In the same poll you cite only 43% had a favorable opinion of the law.
Lol audie, that's a lie. The majority of Americans did not support universal health care. A majority of socialist scum did however, I mean liberals.
I think you're redefining what Americans saying they think all people "should have access to" health care means.
Chesty, A 2009 New York Times/CBS News Poll showed Americans support for a single-payer healthcare system at 73% vs 20%. Perhaps you should know what you're talking about before calling me a liar. You can start your education by turning off Fox News.
audie - where did you get the 73% to 20% split facts, from the WH! You say the NYT/CBS poll but nobody suggests that either are even relevant anymore. Until the media isn't biased anymore their 'facts/polls' are meaningless. Blame Fox News like you are still blaming Bush for your lib failures.
I don't live there, but anyone casting a vote against the SEIU is doing the right thing.
Where were the elected members of the council, the quorum, the cowards? Or was this orchestrated to assure one was not available? Unanswered questions here. More facts are needed. Rioting nor necessary but certainly politics was messed up.
Always the conspiracy theories. Did you need a new tin foil hat?
What do you expect its Newark-- the dump of the tri state area.
jungle boogie
pained1, atelier, and kathy
You three are just as bad as those you are condemning. You are just as uncivilized with your words as they are with their actions. Yes, their violent actions are illegal and demonstrate their ignorance; and you do have the guarantee of free speech, but your words demonstrate your own ignorance.
Yeah? Uh huh.Thx for your opinion.Here's another one-ace name = not taken seriously,unless you are a sportsman I guess
Oh my! Actual members of the African American community demonstrating their respect for the democratic process. Ever wonder why they riot whenever things don't go their way. Sad part is they're attacking other Blacks - they can't even get that part straight. And right in the middle is the Obama backed SEIU with a good old American name - Muhammed- leading the pack. Wonder when the car bombings will start as the SEIU declares jihad against Mayor Booker.
Can you just imagine how they would have reacted if Romney won the election?
The cities would have burned.
Wow. So now it's all a race thing and Mr. Obama's mixed up in it somehow? Did you ever think the people might have really thought it was crooked and wrong and their city, and that once he got in they couldn't get him out? And you added people's names for proof of something about their character? And then more racist comments. Winners indeed, both of you.
how ghetto. this is what happens when low level minorities take political office.
i wish you'd say that trash to my face.
i take that back. i'm not even mad. thanks for paying for my healthcare you racist old hag!
This seems to be the only proper use of pepper spray I've read about in a very long time. Not that it's not properly used other times, but usually we hear about its abuse.
These unruly people don't help their cause. If they don't like the way Booker conducts the business of the city, they have two choices: petition for a recall or vote him out on election day.
Actually, there is a third way: a peaceful protest march. But to behave violently and act out in anger turns others against them.
What country is this Newark in? Looking at the names left me wondering. A "community activist" called "Street Doctor"? I need to live someplace where I can get a job like that and a cool alias. Then, maybe I could vote twice.
The "Thin Red/Blue Line" Booker straddles, Coddling the 1% behind closed doors while giving the appearance to be a Mayor of the people is turning just 1% Red quickly....
Booker is looking out for Booker....if he happens too do a good deed in the interim then all the better for Booker...
Time to halt mass gatherings in America. Everyone meet by videocam.
They were mad about pepper spray? They are lucky the officer didn't draw his handgun. If his life or those of someone he was protecting were in harm, he would have full right to use that handgun.
Might as well get out the ole Koran!
Given the folks on this vine as well as the ones at the council meeting it appears that we ourselves are back in the dark ages just like the extremist Muslim's!
Ah, the wonder of diversity, Democrat heaven- is this what we conservatives have to look forward to? yipeee
You can take the man out of the jungle......
this is exactly why the GOP can't get any minority votes. you guys keep talking that trash, we keep voting for the democrats. see how far your racism gets you.
Booker must not be "black enough" or something. Sounds kinda moderate, kinda centrist, kinda pro-business. Doesn't do much slang talking like BHO does occasionally or the race pimps Sharpton and Jackson. Too white, I guess.
This is how leftists debate, lots of screaming, not much thought going on. They hated it when the Tea Party dished some of it out to them though.
Newark's another major city that's mostly non-white now. All those liberal New Jersey white people who love blacks so much always move out of the city or neighborhood when blacks become the majority.
It's interesting, we don't have any white major cities any more. You gotta go to the NW or a few other spots to find a major city that isn't majority black or at least majority non-white.
Liberals are getting giddy--this is the plan, get rid of hated whitey. Legalize all illegals, that'll help it along.
And remember, Liberals love black people...from a distance. When blacks start becoming the majority in a neighborhood, liberals leave to go find an all-white neighborhood or suburb somewhere. That's how Detroit became 85% black like it is today.
I was wrong, it wasn't a "not black enough" thing, it was a union scum thing.
Newark, another big city in big trouble run by the left. Think Obama can help them, not without creating REAL jobs.
But said big cities keep electing the left, amazing how ignorance is bliss.
Shanique ? hmmm, a melee. WHat a surprise. And no gun fire? Hmmm, what a surprise.
They thought there was a sale on council seats and Shanique cut in line.
Another class act from the clowns of the SEIU
ah, was it union scum? Didn't know.
---skimmed the article.
Now it make sense.
And many Americans think that people in the middle east are crazy!
Uh, JimS. Of course, this has nothing to do with the Middle East, but, only since you mentioned it....