The man’s house was surrounded by protestors as he was taken into custody on charges of harassment and racially motivated bias intimidation
Footage of protestors pelting a man charged with alleged racial harassment and bias intimidation as he is arrested by police in Mount Laurel, New Jersey is currently doing the rounds on social media.
The man in question has been identified as Edward Cagney Mathews, who foolishly gave out his address during a confrontation with a Black neighbour and, as such, crowds gathered outside his home to watch as the man was taken into custody.
Dozens are still out in front of Edward Cagney Mathews home. The police officers are standing in front of his front door. pic.twitter.com/jqp0ORPzlp
— Alex George (@alexgeorgetv) July 5, 2021
Footage of the original incident a few days prior (Friday, July 2nd) has been circulating online for a few days now, capturing what can only be described as a vile torrent of abuse towards an unidentified local.
In the video itself, Matthews can be heard saying: “Learn your laws. This is not Africa, or (inaudible) or wherever the f*ck you were,” to which the neighbour responds, “I was born in America, and I don’t give a sh*t about you”. Matthews also goes on to use the N-word.
Unsurprisingly, Mount Laurel residents, New Jersey locals and citizens across the country were incensed by the footage from start to finish and didn’t wait to take Matthews up on the offer of coming to his address, which he stupidly reads out at the end of the video. Not only did they arrive but they made their presence known as he was arrested.
#BREAKING Mt Laurel Police take Cagney Mathews into custody after protesters surrounded his house due to racist comment captured on viral videos. Crowd pelts him and police with objects.@NBCPhiladelphia pic.twitter.com/W6TVPw5YRN
— Danny Freeman (@DannyEFreeman) July 5, 2021
This isn’t the only incident in which Matthews has been accused of racist behaviour and others forms of harassment. Several women – including two who attended the protest, Jazmyn Suszynski and her mother Aliya Robinson – claimed they were also victimised by Mathews in years past.
Jazymn was prompted to reshare photos and video footage of her previous encounters with Matthews on Facebook, images which showed everything from threatening messages left painted on her car, her door being kicked in and the man confronting her at her house. Disgusting behaviour.
https://www.facebook.com/Jazmynjene/posts/2967098443579260
Jazymn’s mother told ABC6 News that when it came to their experience: “I tried. We have tried to get justice, and if we got justice, this wouldn’t be happening now.”
Local police also issued a statement following the incident:
“The Mount Laurel Police Department does not tolerate hate or bias intimidation in any form. This type of behaviour is totally unacceptable. We can assure our residents that incidents like this are thoroughly investigated and that those who commit such offences will be held accountable for their actions.”
