N.J. Governor Urges Protesters to Wear Masks, Keep Distance

WEST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY - MAY 31: Residents of West Orange wave to passing motorists as they gather to protest the death of George Floyd on May 30, 2020 in West Orange, New Jersey. Protests continue to be held in cities throughout the country over the death of George Floyd, a black man who was killed in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) , Photographer: Elsa/Getty Images North America

Elise Young, Bloomberg News

Jun 3, 2020

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(Bloomberg) -- New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy pleaded with people demonstrating in response to the death of George Floyd to wear masks and keep proper social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“Protest peacefully, side by side,” Murphy said at a news briefing.

Thousands of demonstrators in recent days have marched peacefully in places including Newark, Asbury Park and Princeton. Violence and looting by a small number of people broke out in Atlantic City, the oceanside casino resort, and Trenton, the state capital.

Attorney General Gurbir Grewal on Tuesday said the state is moving toward licensing the state’s 36,000 New Jersey troopers and local police officers. It will also update a use-of-force policy for the first time in 20 years and create a database to track such tactics.

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