Calls To Condemn Racism In Morris Co. Arise After Muslim Chief Claims Discrimination

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — Following the start of a legal battle between Long Hill officials and New Jersey's first Muslim police chief, several diversity, equity and inclusion advocates spoke out at a recent council meeting to condemn racism and xenophobia.

Ahmed Naga, chief of the Long Hill Township Police Department, claims in a notice of tort claim filed with the township by his attorney that he has been subjected to ongoing and repeated acts of harassment, discrimination, heightened scrutiny and a hostile work environment.

Resident Kristen Oleske spoke out about the township's response to the tort claim, saying "I have to say I'm disappointed in our elected official's response or general response to a claim by our department that there is casual racism that was subjected to Chief Naga specifically."

Following Naga's public notice of an intent to sue, Long Hill officials responded with a statement rejecting Naga's accusations of racism.

"We believe it has been orchestrated as an attempt to obstruct the Township Committee from its responsibility of oversight regarding the operations and finances of the Long Hill Police Department," the statement read.

Naga, 44, claims that the acts or omissions of several Long Hill officials resulted in "injury or property damage."

According to the claim, Deputy Mayor Guy Piserchia asked if Naga "was a member of the Taliban" in front of numerous witnesses at a commemoration of Sept. 11, 2021.

Read more: Muslim Police Chief Claims Years Of Discrimination In Morris Co.

"We can do better. As a township, we can all agree that we can speak out against the fact that we are racist or otherwise. Whether it was casual, whether it was a joke, whatever it was the whole community has heard it, it is on video," Oleske said.

In response, Mayor Matthew Dorsi said, "any form of racism, we don't condone any of that."

Pamela Ogens, a Millington resident, also spoke about three recent incidents in which hateful, anti-Semitic, and racist remarks were made in the township.

"A member of the Long Hill Township Committee and Board expressed concern that 'they could potentially try to build a mosque in Long Hill Township' he urged that actions be taken to prevent this from happening," Ogens said.

Ogens urged Dorsi and the other committee members to draft a resolution strongly condemning all forms of hatred, bias, racism and bigotry.

"Such a resolution is not new to neighboring towns and other towns in New Jersey. To be silent is to be complacent," Ogens said.