Mikie Sherrill Defends Use of State Police at Delaney Hall

The people who came from "out of state" were from Manhattan and Brooklyn. Closer to Delaney than most New Jerseyans.

The deployment of state troopers in riot gear with riot shields is itself likely to provoke violence. It's pretty well established that it's more effective for de-escalation if officers show up in regular uniform, not in body armor. It's also not de-escalation to move protestors into pens in a "designated area."

Politicians and police officials have learned very little over the past few years about keeping the peace in these type of incidents.

it's really unfortunate that she's using the "outside agitators" argument.

very, very disappointing.

drummerboy said:

it's really unfortunate that she's using the "outside agitators" argument.

very, very disappointing.

exactly. People from anywhere in the country have standing to demonstrate against a federal agency.

and at this point she's backed herself into a corner and it will be awfully hard for her to de-escalate the troopers' tactics without losing face. I guess we'll find out if she's too stubborn to do the smart thing or will continue to double down on provoking the violence.

ml1 said:

exactly. People from anywhere in the country have standing to demonstrate against a federal agency.

and at this point she's backed herself into a corner and it will be awfully hard for her to de-escalate the troopers' tactics without losing face. I guess we'll find out if she's too stubborn to do the smart thing or will continue to double down on provoking the violence.

The outdoor security was transferred to the Newark police from the state police. 

And what if there were some bad actors who came in to stir up trouble in an attempt to discredit the protestors, and elicit a violent response from ICE and the police? It wouldn’t surprise me. 

It seems like a lot of people are lining up to throw Sherrill under the bus. I’m not saying this wasn’t a mistake. But the long knives seem to have come out on both sides. 

mrincredible said:

ml1 said:

exactly. People from anywhere in the country have standing to demonstrate against a federal agency.

and at this point she's backed herself into a corner and it will be awfully hard for her to de-escalate the troopers' tactics without losing face. I guess we'll find out if she's too stubborn to do the smart thing or will continue to double down on provoking the violence.

The outdoor security was transferred to the Newark police from the state police. 

And what if there were some bad actors who came in to stir up trouble in an attempt to discredit the protestors, and elicit a violent response from ICE and the police? It wouldn’t surprise me. 

It seems like a lot of people are lining up to throw Sherrill under the bus. I’m not saying this wasn’t a mistake. But the long knives seem to have come out on both sides. 

I'm not "lining up" with anyone. But Sherrill deserves all the criticism she's getting. It was a huge mistake to send a riot squad of troopers to Newark.

She should know better. Anyone paying the least bit of attention to history knew what she did was going to provoke violence instead of preventing it. Sure, send in the police, but in regular uniform, not armor and shields.

I hope she learned a lesson.