State FOP Files
Formal Complaint
Over Parade Honoree
Police and Law Enforcement News
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 11:20 a.m.
The FOP State Office has filed a
formal protest with organizers of this year's Newark St. Patrick's
Day Parade. FOP President Edward R. Brannigan told
NJLawman.com that they also issued a press release to local media
voicing their displeasure over who parade organizers chose as this
year's dedication recipient.
As you may remember, this year's
parade is being dedicated to Congressman Donald M. Payne. Last
December Congressman Payne voted against a United States House
Resolution condemning a French City for naming a street after the
murderer of Philadelphia Police Officer Daniel Faulkner. He
was one of 31 members to vote against the Resolution that eventually
passed with a final vote of 368 to 31.
Below is the text of the FOP press
release:
POLICE
OFFICERS DEMAND PAYNE BE
DROPPED FROM ST. PATRICK’S DAY HONOR
TRENTON, NJ -- The Fraternal Order of
Police – New Jersey State Lodge has asked organizers of Newark’s St.
Patrick’s Day parade to reverse their decision to dedicate this
year’s parade to U.S. Congressman Donald M. Payne.
The police
organization made its request by letter to Kevin P. Frey, general
chairman of the St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee.
“Congressman Payne
does not deserve this honor,” said FOPNJ president Edward R.
Brannigan. “His disrespect for police officers and apparent sympathy
for a convicted cop killer is repugnant and undeserving of any
honor.” On
December 6, 2006 the U.S. House of Representatives voted to condemn
a decision by St. Denis, France to rename a street in honor of Mumia
Abu-Jamal. Known at the time as Wesley Cook, Abu-Jamal was convicted
of murdering 25-year-old Philadelphia Police Officer Daniel Faulkner
on December 9, 1981.
The House resolution
condemning the street renaming passed by an overwhelming 368-31
vote. Payne was one of the 31 House members to vote against the
resolution.
“Congressman Payne’s
vote against condemning an honor for a convicted cop killer is a
slap in the face of every law enforcement officer and the family of
Daniel Faulkner," said Brannigan, a retired Newark police officer
and Grand Marshal of the city's 2004 St. Patrick's Day Parade.
"Newark’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee should reverse its
decision to honor Payne, or risk sullying it’s own reputation by
disrespecting Officer Faulkner’s sacrifice.”
The Fraternal Order of
Police is the world's largest organization of sworn law enforcement
officers, with more than 318,000 members in more than 2,100 lodges.
The FOP is the voice of those who dedicate their lives to protecting
and serving our communities. It is committed to improving the
working conditions of law enforcement officers and the safety of
those we serve through education, legislation, information,
community involvement, and employee representation.
Nice job to President
Brannigan and the State FOP for jumping all over this disgraceful
situation.
Read
our Editorial on this subject
Police and Law Enforcement News
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 11:20 a.m.
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