Gov. Murphy’s remarks at MLK Day event met with Jameek Lowery protests

Gov. Phil Murphy's remarks on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day were met with protests outside by members of all different faith organizations from across the state.

News 12 Staff

Jan 21, 2019, 3:30 PM

Updated 2,145 days ago

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Gov. Phil Murphy's remarks on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day were met with protests outside by members of all different faith organizations from across the state.
The comments came inside the New Hope Memorial Baptist Church in Elizabeth.
The focus of the protesters continues to be the death of Jameek Lowery back on Jan. 7 in Paterson.
On Jan. 5, Lowery called 911 and said he took ecstasy.
Lowery showed up at police headquarters.
Police then used force to restrain him, took him to the hospital.
He was unresponsive and died two days later.
According to officials, the cause of death was from bacterial meningitis, but family, friends and the group of protesters are calling for an independent autopsy.
They want a bill to appoint an independent prosecutor signed by the governor.

"We are saying that the governor, it's time to honor your promise, keep your promise and sign this bill,” says Archange Antoine, with the NJ Clergy Coalition for Justice. “Stop going to churches, stop going to mosques, stop going to temples and do what's right sign the bill. This is a progressive state, sign the bill."

Gov. Murphy was on hand at the church to deliver remarks at National Action Network New Jersey's annual MLK Day celebration inside the church.