UPDATE: Record crowds flood Trenton to protest against N.J. Gov. Chris Christie, budget cuts
STATE HOUSE BUREAU
STATE HOUSE BUREAU
| Thousands gather in Trenton for anti-Christie rally |
TRENTON — Fury over Gov. Chris Christie’s proposed budget cuts echoed outside the Statehouse today as record crowds flooded the capital to protest the rookie Republican — and warn Democrats against backing his agenda.
The protesters — most from public worker unions and progressive groups — numbered 30,000 to 35,000, according to the State Police. They clutched signs labeling Christie a "loser" and calling for his ouster. They started chants: "They say cut back, we say fight back!" and "We are not the problem!" They even mocked the governor’s affection for working-class hero Bruce Springsteen.
"I don’t know how you can save New Jersey by shutting down our firefighters, police and teachers," said Zein Maya, a West Orange resident and Newark firefighter.
"He’s just picked us as a scapegoat. We just feel so targeted," said Lauren Sheldon, an English teacher at North Hunterdon High School who lives in Pennsylvania.
Though the rally was the culmination of months of animosity between Christie and unions over cuts to pay and benefits, speakers cast the fight in broader terms, linking it to historical causes from women’s suffrage to civil rights.
"It is the beginning of a new political movement in this state, one that stands in opposition to the kinds of cruel and unnecessary cuts that are devastating New Jersey," said Chris Shelton, a vice president with the Communications Workers of America. "One that says to all elected officials — if you want our support, you have to earn it."
But few politicians of either party were on hand to hear the message. The governor was signing a bill at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, where he recived a mix of cheers and boos and dismissed a question about the protest. And despite legislative Democrats’ showdown with Christie over his refusal to raise taxes on
I. GEORGE BILYK
An aerial view of the rally from the roof of the NJEA building. The photographer was I. George Bilyk.
"I don’t know how you can save New Jersey by shutting down our firefighters, police and teachers," said Zein Maya, a West Orange resident and Newark firefighter.
"He’s just picked us as a scapegoat. We just feel so targeted," said Lauren Sheldon, an English teacher at North Hunterdon High School who lives in Pennsylvania.
Though the rally was the culmination of months of animosity between Christie and unions over cuts to pay and benefits, speakers cast the fight in broader terms, linking it to historical causes from women’s suffrage to civil rights.
"It is the beginning of a new political movement in this state, one that stands in opposition to the kinds of cruel and unnecessary cuts that are devastating New Jersey," said Chris Shelton, a vice president with the Communications Workers of America. "One that says to all elected officials — if you want our support, you have to earn it."
But few politicians of either party were on hand to hear the message. The governor was signing a bill at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, where he recived a mix of cheers and boos and dismissed a question about the protest. And despite legislative Democrats’ showdown with Christie over his refusal to raise taxes on