Officials respond after band with alleged white supremacist ties performs at Bloomfield VFW Hall
As News 12 previously reported, this music event was originally supposed to be held at the Wilsa Club in Garfield.
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Officials in Bloomfield are on the defensive after a band with alleged white supremacist ties performed at the VFW hall in town.
Bloomfield police say the event was held June 27 at VFW Post 711. But Chief George Ricci says that reports that the Bloomfield Police Department provided security for the event are false.
“After information regarding the event was identified by a Department Lieutenant in charge of Criminal Intelligence, I directed the Sergeant on duty to conduct an investigation and gather additional information. Officers spoke with the event organizer, who denied claims of any Nazi or white supremacist affiliation,” Ricci wrote in a statement.
Ricci says that the department received two calls for service at the location – one for a complaint of someone drinking alcohol in public, which was unfounded, and a later “request for dispersal.”
RELATED: Garfield venue cancels controversial music festival after concerns over alleged extremist ties
As News 12 previously reported, this music event was originally supposed to be held at the Wilsa Club in Garfield.
"Vengeance Fest" was scheduled to feature 20 heavy metal bands at the Wisla Club before the club pulled out after backlash from the community.
A spokesperson for the VFW Department of New Jersey says the VFW was not aware of the controversy surrounding the event.
“Department leadership has spoken with the leadership of Post 711 regarding this matter. Post leadership advised that they received a hall rental request and were not aware that the group renting the facility was associated with any Nazi, white supremacist, or hate-based organization,” the spokesperson wrote.
The statement continued, “Let us be clear: the VFW does not support, condone, or tolerate Nazi ideology, white supremacy, antisemitism, racism, or hate in any form...The Department of New Jersey does not oversee each Post’s daily operations; however, all Posts are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the mission, values, and reputation of the VFW. “
Bloomfield Mayor Jenny Mundell said that despite the controversy surrounding the event, “The actions or beliefs of those associated with a single private event do not define Bloomfield or the people who call our Township home. Bloomfield has always been, and will continue to be, a welcoming community where people of all backgrounds belong. We remain committed to standing against hate and fostering a community where every resident feels safe, respected, and valued.”
