Crowd protests free speech at Bergen courthouse [
Editor's note: Really? Why would they protest free speech?]
Sunday, March 15, 2009
BY MONSY ALVARADO
NorthJersey.com
STAFF WRITER
HACKENSACK — More than 80 people stood at the steps of the Bergen County Courthouse on Sunday to protest a lawsuit filed against a city resident which they say is a violation of her First Amendment rights to free speech.
The march and rally were organized in support of Deborah Labrosse, a city resident who has been sued by Police Chief Ken Zisa. He is accusing her of posting defamatory statements about him on an NJ.com online forum. Last week, Labrosse filed a counterclaim against the chief, alleging that he has "tampered" with correspondence she has posted on the forum.
"I'm in awe that this many people have come out on a Sunday morning in support of what is going on," Labrosse said. "For me, it's going to be sad in Hackensack until things change."
Neither Zisa nor his lawyer, Richard Malagiere, could be reached for comment Sunday. Malagiere has said that Zisa brought him the statements appearing on NJ.com, and posted by Labrosse. After analyzing the postings, he said, they determined them to be defamatory.
Chanting "We're here to march, we're here to say, you can't take free speech away," the group began their short walk at Bridge and Moore streets. The group included children and residents from the city and neighboring towns, who clutched signs that read "Freedom of Speech" and "Freedom Not Oppression."
"We have the right and freedom to voice our opinions under the Constitution," said Bart Calandrillo, a city resident who marched with his wife and two children. "This is a good lesson to teach my children."
Labrosse's husband, John, who plans to run for a City Council seat in May's non-partisan election, said Zisa's lawsuit against his wife is a form of intimidation. The couple have been outspoken about decisions made by the current administration, including last year's layoff of the city Fire Department's emergency medical technicians.
John Labrosse, along with four running mates, will likely challenge the incumbents in this year's election. As of Friday, no one had filed to run in the election, said Deborah Heck, the city clerk. Deadline to submit petitions is Thursday.
Teaneck Councilwoman Barbara Toffler and her husband, Chuck Powers, also joined the march, saying the fundamentals of the Bill of Rights are at stake.
"We've all been called incredible names," Toffler said. "We are all public figures and unfortunately you are subject to whatever people want to say about you. … If we allow any violation of free speech it is fascistic and it is the beginning of a totalitarian government."
Powers, a Democrat, said he is trying to organize a news conference in front of the county building today to urge the governor to delay the reappointment of Zisa to the Bergen County Board of Elections. Zisa, a Democrat and former assemblyman, was appointed to the board in June 2007 and his term expires this month.
Powers says he wants the reappointment delayed until a probe looking into why two Teaneck poll workers were fired last year is resolved. After the workers were fired, the Teaneck Council asked the board to investigate.
"There has been nothing from the board," said Toffler referring to the probe. "There has been no documentation, no letter. The council has not received a letter of response."
The Board of Elections is in charge of counting ballots, training and hiring poll workers and certifying elections.