‘We’re Better Than This’: MAGA Business Boycott List Condemned By Monmouth County Senators

MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ — Local politicians are speaking out after a Facebook group went viral for its list of Monmouth County businesses to boycott whose owners support President-elect Donald Trump.

The group, called Indivisible Blue Two Rivers, posted a list of small businesses associated with “MAGA [Make America Great Again], Fox, or alt-right radio” for people to avoid. In a separate list, the group highlighted businesses “that are more progressive” as alternatives for people to shop from.

While the group and lists have since been taken down, they gained the attention of Monmouth County politicians and local political groups who condemned their actions.

“I strongly condemn the ‘Indivisible’ Facebook group and list that is promoting hatred towards and avoidance of ‘MAGA’ small businesses and their owners,” said Declan O’Scanlon, a Republican NJ senator representing District 13. “Worse yet, they are using the Two River moniker as if behavior like this is a united front.”

“We are better than this,” O’Scanlon continued, “I strongly condemn these divisive efforts to damage the livelihoods of Monmouth County small business owners and their employees over political differences.”

Vin Gopal, another NJ senator, spoke out against the group as well. Gopal is a Democrat representing District 11.

“The group was wrong, and I appreciate that they immediately deleted the lists and shut down the group,” Gopal said. “Emotions run high after an election and I appreciate that this group of individuals realized that creating such a list would cause more division instead of unity.”

According to Gopal, the people who created the lists are now being harassed by those on the other side of the political aisle. This has led to police reports being filed and “neighbors being pitted against neighbors,” Gopal said.

“Two wrongs don’t make a right,” Gopal said. “Those group of residents deleted the list and removed the page.”

In an online statement, the Monmouth County Republican Committee condemned the group and said that similar groups have popped up in Atlantic Highlands, Marlboro, Spring Lake and Monmouth Beach as well.

“Monmouth County is a special place with no room for such political divisiveness after an election,” Republican County Commissioner Director Tom Arnone said in the statement. “This is a horrible thing to do to our amazing business community.”

In each of their statements, Gopal and O’Scanlon encouraged unity between community members.

“Some of my dearest friends are Democrats. Why have these friendships endured?” O’Scanlon said. “It’s not rocket science: we meet each other where we are, will and hope the best for each other, and see each other as human beings with dignity.”

“Elections leave tough feelings,” Gopal said. “But let’s come together, both sides, give folks the benefit of the doubt when they make mistakes, and try to unify our communities.”