Unions, Democrats accused Christie of compromising safety, selling out first responders Watch video
TRENTON — More than 6,500 police and firefighters from across the state descended on the Statehouse today to send a message to Gov. Chris Christie: We are not the enemy.
Union leaders and Democrats in the Legislature took turns blasting Christie from the podium, saying public safety workers are being unfairly blamed for problems caused by bankers and CEOs. They accused Christie of compromising the state's safety and selling out its first responders in a bid for the White House.
"All across America, police and firefighters are being made scapegoats for mistakes made by politicians," said Ed Brannigan, president of the New Jersey Fraternal Order of Police. "But nowhere are they treated as bad as they are here in New Jersey.
"Instead of bombast and bravado, the governor needs to address New Jersey's real problem: government mismanagement," he said.
Christie called the event a "me-first rally" at a press conference scheduled at the same time.
Bill Lavin, the president of the state's Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association, told the crowd that Christie was right.
"I could not agree more because every time a bell rings, every time a shot is fired, you say, 'Me first! I'm going in first!'" he said. "The governor loves you when you're dying and when you're silent, but he hates your union because he hates your voice."
Felix McNally, an Irvington fire captain at the rally, said he hoped Democrats took note of how many people were in attendance.
"I think the Democrats left us," he said. "I hope Gov. Christie and Senate President Steve Sweeney were listening because we're not going away."
The attendees, most of them wearing blue, stood for more than two hours in biting cold weather. Keith Dunn, vice president of the state PBA, said the event could help boost morale.
"I think they really needed it," he said.
Previous coverage:
• Police, fire union leaders slam Gov. Christie at rally
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