“We support the public release of the investigation into Sue Altman’s forcible removal from the Senate’s Norcross hearing on 11/19. We trust the investigation will cover not only Sue’s removal, but the Senate’s efforts to keep anti-Norcross Camden citizens out of the committee room before it began; the Senate’s decision to selectively allow pro-Norcross audience members into the room; the jeers of ‘lock her up’ from Norcross supporters towards Sue before the hearings even began; Chairman Smith’s clear expression of having supervisory control over the troopers; and the decision of the Senate not to place George Norcross under oath.”

“Instead of throwing around Trumpian epithets like ‘paid protester,’ Senate President Sweeney needs to look in the mirror and listen to the cries of non-partisan advocates and reformers who correctly believe his Chamber is broken, consistently placing special interests over the public interest. We agree – we will not let this incident distract us from Steve Sweeney’s agenda to expand corporate welfare, gerrymander legislative districts, protect the State’s millionaires and billionaires, and help George Norcross hijack the Democratic State committee.”

The Working Families Party is a grassroots political organization that recruits, trains, and elects the next generation of progressive leaders. Its New Jersey affiliate, New Jersey Working Families, has been at the forefront of the fight for a more responsive and accountable state government.