“LET THE PEOPLE THERE BE HEARD” MOVEMENT LAUNCHES TO DEMAND FAIRNESS AND JUSTICE FOR DALE CALDWELL

Organizers named in anonymous letter say firsthand witnesses must be heard before Lieutenant Governor investigation findings are finalized

 (SEPTEMBER 16, 2026) NEW JERSEY — Organizers of events referenced in the anonymous letter that may have prompted an investigation into New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell are speaking out and launching the Let The People There Be Heard movement.

The movement is calling for the people who were actually present at the events referenced in the allegations to be heard and for their firsthand accounts to be considered before conclusions are reached.

The people identified by organizers as having firsthand knowledge include: Felicia Simmons of Asbury Park, organizer of the 2026 Whitesboro Black History Gala, president and executive director of WCC Historic Renovation Association, and founding partner of the Whitesboro Historic Preservation Project; Rev. Elorm Ocansey of Franklin Township, assistant pastor, Transformation International Chapel, and Shirley Green of Whitesboro, executive director of the Whitesboro Historical Foundation, and founding partner of the Whitesboro Historic Preservation Project.

The New York Times reported on September 9 that the investigation began after an anonymous May letter alleged that Caldwell brought “uninvited female guests” to events. BINJE reported that Caldwell wrote that ‘facts and integrity ultimately will prevail over rumor, innuendo, and false accusations,” in a letter obtained by BINJE.

Felicia Simmons, organizer of one of the events named says she began to call for the people who were there to be heard after seeing news reports. “After I read the New York Times article and learned that his guest had been repeatedly contacted by investigators, I asked myself: ‘Why weren't we, the organizers, contacted?’” questioned Simmons. “I was there. I was involved. I know the communications I received and what I witnessed. There is a difference between asking legitimate questions and allowing an incomplete narrative to become accepted as fact.”

“The way this is being handled makes you ask if there is foul play at hand and what kind of findings are being developed,” said Simmons.

The movement also points to the historic significance of Caldwell's position. Simmons' complete statement (also attached) described Caldwell’s role as New Jersey's first Black elected male lieutenant governor and argued that representation matters to Black communities.  

“For me, defending him is not about protecting a politician. It is about protecting the truth of what I personally witnessed… It is about protecting the voices of communities that have too often been unseen and unheard. And it is about remembering that democracy only works when We the People are actually allowed to participate in it,” says Simmons.