ACLU-NJ has urged Bellmawr police to investigate its officers after alleged unlawful targeting of protesters

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey has urged the Bellmawr Police Department to investigate its officers’ conduct after local protesters alleged the department gave out citations while attendees engaged in “free-speech activities.”

The letter, sent by email Tuesday, said ACLU-NJ was contacted by several members of Cooper River Indivisible, a Camden County-based grassroots organization, after members alleged that they were targeted by Bellmawr police officers during months of summer protests against President Donald Trump and his administration despite sidewalks and streets being “traditional public forums.”

“As I understand the facts, officers have been issuing traffic and criminal citations –for honking, jaywalking, and other offenses –to participants and supporters during lawful roadside rallies,” the letter reads.

Rebecca Uwakwe, ACLU-NJ’s criminal law reform advocacy director, said Cooper River Indivisible members told her that Bellmawr police have been targeting them since at least June, but the citations have ramped up this month. She couldn’t confirm how many municipal court citations have been given out but she said she’s representing “a good amount of people” impacted by the citations in municipal court.

“No one’s freedom of speech should be chilled because they’re afraid of getting a citation,” Uwakwe said.

The letter asks the police department to investigate officers’ conduct and requests that the department respond by Sept. 11.

Cooper River Indivisible, a South Jersey affiliate of nonprofit Indivisible, hosts weekly roadside rallies at an intersection in Bellmawr Borough, Camden County, where people gather to “joyfully disturb the peace” to protest fascism and actions taken by the Trump administration.

Cooper River Indivisible did not immediately return requests for comment, nor did CRI founder Craig Strimel.

A recent newsletter by the organization said the Bellmawr group “has been unfairly targeted by local police,” including that one attendee who was recording during a rally was arrested.

It’s unclear who was arrested or whether charges were filed after the recent rally.

The Bellmawr Police Department declined to comment. Uwakwe said she hasn’t heard from police yet.

If the department isn’t receptive to dialogue, Uwakwe said the ACLU will continue to defend protesters and drivers against citations. ACLU-NJ is still interviewing people impacted by the citations, she said, and investigating the situation.