photos courtesy of Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood was once again the scene of another “Black Lives Matter” protests . It is being reported that there was one arrest for disrupting traffic at the corner of North Broad and East Ridgewood. The demonstration was “otherwise peaceful “. The Protesters marched up and Down Ridgewood Avenue and also protested in front of the Ridgewood police station.
A few observation: while we are firm believers in Free Speech unlike many in the Village , Free Speech carries with it responsibility and consequences , ask Muhammad Ali .While we commend the children for being active and engaged, we are once again concerned over the use of young people to score political points. Some Ridgewood moms tried to compare the arrests to Selma ,saying, “I’m sure they told Selma protesters to stay out of the street/off the bridge too! “. In Selma the Democrats used dogs and water cannons, and the police beat protesters with night sticks . One of the signs read ,”have you ever been f-ed by the system” , folks Ridgewood is the system , and you are living a pretty easy life .
It is odd that a group considered to be some of most “privileged” on the face of the earth is out complaining about “privilege” and are we the only ones that finds it odd that it appeared that no “black people” attended a “Black Lives Matter” march ? Then we noticed the signs for “Reparations” , may parents of the “privileged” must have loved that , however there are more “black ” Americans living in the USA that freely emigrated from Africa since slavery than those living here related to Africans sold by other Africans and brought here as slaves. Our question is will reparations only include Democrats , which created the Confederacy, Jim Crow and the KKK. ? Speaking of reparations, since the merchants in Ridgewood could not open the Central business district pedestrian mall , should not the protesters and their parents be asked to offer reparations to the restaurants and shops who all lost business?
Nothing seems to say “Privilege” more than a bunch of white rich kids speaking for African Americans .
So much bigotry and racism in these comments.
Love the comment about the moms in their huge SUVs waiting to pick the kids up afterwards. Real housewives of Ridgewood.
Do you think that the Village had intelligence that there would be a protest like this and that’s why they cancelled the cbd restaurant mall ?
Lynne… it’s keyboard courage…
this is what happens when the democrats move here and have offspring.
when i grew up here we all were too busy with summer jobs.
another joke.
if they were concerned about black lives, go to paterson to protest the NEVER ENDING black-on-black violence…
OR stop buying drugs that finance the drug dealers in paterson that are the violent problem
stupid kids
and @ fran. glad you’re gone.. hows things back in brooklyn….or montclair lol
Ok Lynne. Lynne who?
yes if you cant defend your self in a coherent argument call everyone a racist
It is very possible that 99.9% of BLM protesters are being manipulated without their knowledge, so do not condemn these children, and the participants in this photo appear to be mostly children. How can they be held responsible for their actions? They are children because… Hey, Google, when does the human brain develop fully? ANSWER – it takes at least 20-30 years (you cold look it up).
Slogans are always fast and easy – Black Lives Matter – No Justice no peace – Hell, no, we won’t go – 54-40 or fight – Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead – make love not war – etc.
But slogans are a sign of laziness, because they permit the speaker to adopt a position (popular in its time) without having to spend any time or expend any effort researching facts to develop an informed opinion.
Well-thought out opinions are hard work – facts must be sought through an investment of time and effort; some facts may be upsetting to the fact-seeker, and the seeker may be exposed to opinions that may not align perfectly with theirs (OMG!)
No doubt these valiant Ridgewood protesters now “feel good” because:
1 – I am fighting for what is right (and that’s always a good thing!)
2 –WE “stood together” (group membership – “feel-good” endporphins freely flowing)
3 – WE little people “stood up to ‘the man’” (the 60’s, anyone?)
Dear Blog Reader – if you have read this far, then I would wager that you are not one of the “single-line nay-sayer” responders to this article that criticizes punctuation, dangling participles, and poo-poohs opinions that are not lock-step with yours.
I therefore urge you to click on the two links below. And if you know or are related to any of the valiant Ridgewood children protesters, and care at all about enhancing their ability to make their way in the world after they leave “the nest”, and do not fear permanent damage to their gentle psyches, ask them to also view the links – you may be glad you did.
And you’re welcome!
https://www.hoover.org/research/case-against-revolution-ayaan-hirsi-ali
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMpQBWH-RwA
Great article James, you should get the Nobel Peace Prize for that observation. You’re right, how can a bunch of “white ass rich kids” possibly relate to the struggle of black people? These are the idiots who are being educated at the so-called better schools. If that was my kid out there acting like A-Hole, I would march right up to the school and demand my money back. The only reason these white morons are out there protesting, is because they think by doing so, they won’t have to give up their lunch money.
There’s a new Sheriff in town and she won’t stand for any liberal actions. Arrest them all and make the Chief look bad. Writing’s on the wall ya’ll. Coming soon local baby bear hunts in your neighborhood.
Dumb white stupid kids that there parents spend alot of money sending these idiots kids to college.very sad to see this in new jersey,if you feel so bad for blacks go to africa and help them learn or go to chicago,you dont have the balls or brains,
I saw this posse at Vets yesterday. They were chanting something at 2 RPD cops. Tempest in a teapot.
Trump is going to win again.
I’ve read the article twice now and don’t detect any racism. Thoughtful and provocative, yes, which seems to be the problem for “progressives” and those who think they are, like some commenters here.
It’s great that young people are out protesting and showing solidarity with another group of people but I wonder how well informed they truly are and whether they and their parents (and some commenters here) are able to separate the basic, laudable idea that Black Lives Matter and the BLM organization/leadership, which has a distinctly socialist/radical streak which is much less acceptable to informed, mature adults. I suspect not.
As for the arrest, sorry, but in my 20 years in the village, I have found the Ridgewood PD to be a restrained, reasonable group and I do not have a problem with them attempting to keep the streets safe while many pedestrians and vehicular traffic are both present, with consequences for deliberate noncompliance. I note that the person arrested (or some companion) made sure to tag Governor Murphy and AG Grewal on their tweets about the arrest, suggesting that they deliberately attempted to provoke the police and make the news, as opposed to more mundane and less news worthy peaceful protesting.
Sorry for the length of this post, but intelligent, well reasoned discourse sometimes requires length. Finally, I’ll save some of you a little time: I don’t support Trump; never have, never will.
Have at it.
Where was the police chief? Why wasn’t she there “taking a knee” with attorney general of N.J. For myself, the only knee I’ll take is the one before Jesus Christ.
Where was the police chief? Why wasn’t she there “taking a knee” with attorney general of N.J. Trying to make points with A.G.
For myself, the only knee I’ll take is the one before Jesus Christ.
Jesus would rather you take a knee for your fellow man.
Never had these problems growing up in Ridgewood 70’S -90’s. Looks like all these problems
Started when the town became ire
Liberal than conservative.
these kids are stuck in a quagmire of ignorance
who are the horrible parents whop raised these feral children ?
I only have one question–does anyone actually know why she was arrested? She had to be doing or saying something more than just being in the street.