06/12/2008
NJ Couple Awarded $2.84 Million for 'Mob Attack' by Firefighters
Back in May I posted about Peter de Vries and Timothy Carter, a gay couple formerly from Secaucus, New Jersey, who filed suit against that town claiming that they were harassed in an April 2004 incident by a group of firefighters who were partying at the firehouse adjacent to their residence.
Earlier this week, they won their case:
"The jury on Tuesday awarded Peter de Vries and Timothy Carter $2.84 million in a civil lawsuit that some see as a victory for the gay community and a launch point for a possible criminal investigation. 'It was a mob attack and then the town government gathered around to protect the perpetrators,' the couple's attorney, Neil Mullin, said of the April 25, 2004, incident and its aftermath. The plaintiffs described the event as a 12-minute tirade that took place outside their home, next door to a Secaucus firehouse. They said it started when Carter complained about a raucous 1 a.m. party held in the firehouse parking lot. Mullin said he will refer the case to the state Attorney General's Office, so it could reopen a bias crime investigation and to the U.S. Attorney's Office for a possible criminal obstruction case. The Montclair attorney questioned whether Secaucus is a safe place for gay residents. 'The same leadership that protected these perpetrators is still in power, and I think that's most unfortunate,' he said. Secaucus town Administrator David B. Drumeler, on the advice of private attorneys representing the town, declined to comment on the verdict."
Posted 7:50 AM EST by Andy Towle in Crime, Firefighters, New Jersey, News | Permalink
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Several Years ago while bicycling near a sport fishing pier here in San Diego my partner and I were thrown a few choice phrases from
a group of firemen. I still remember this incident with indignation and disgust as we did NOTHING to provoke this response. It was simply a matter of a group of troglodytes trying to show off their "manliness."
Theses jerks need to be held to account for this bulls*t.
Cheers to the two guys in New Jersey!
Posted by: gaywest | Jun 12, 2008 9:27:47 AM
As a native of this town, and former neighbor of Mayor Dennis Elwell, I am disappointed that the town officials took no actions to discipline the perpetraters.
The line "The Montclair attorney questioned whether Secaucus is a safe place for gay residents" really disturbs me. I grew up in the town and that breaks my heart.
Posted by: Jan | Jun 12, 2008 10:03:28 AM
Way to go! Everyone who has a case should take it court and generate as much publicity as possible.
Posted by: Bill Perdue | Jun 12, 2008 8:49:47 PM
Well in San Diego, some of the "macho" males felt threatened when their Chief, Tracy Jarman (a lesbian), had members of the SD Fire Department walk in the annual Pride Parade. They felt so mortified by their experience they made a big public deal about being "forced" to do so. What these men don't realize is that thanks to the wonder of the internet, their names will be live well beyond the parade so that when their children (when adults) must may find their bigotted father's names during a time when California has moved far beyond same-sex marriage adn other issues as a lightning rod for anti-gay sentiment. Let them explain their "fears" to their grown-up kids then!
Posted by: Rich | Jun 15, 2008 11:17:54 PM
Thanks to someone named Andy who cared about me and my partner of 22 years, Mr. Peter de Vries, as we approach the trail against Secaucus NJ. Andy it was much needed support through an event I would not wish on anyone. We triumphed because of the almost unbelievable gifts of Neil Mullin, Esq. of Montclair NJ. Neil and equally his partner, Nan Smith, were awarded New Jersey's Legal Pioneer award in 2007. They have a lifetime of commitment to G/L/B/T rights are are named by the Wall Street Journal as the finest civil rights and employment attys. in New Jersey. We prevailed, big time. We thank Andy for caring and we salute Neil Mullin, Esq. and Nancy Erica Smith, Esq.
Tim Carter, Plaintiff
Posted by: Timothy Tyler Carter | Jul 18, 2008 12:39:03 AM
A new way opens...!
This award cannot have a good end.
We have also consider the effects…
The courts may be busy because of this award...!
Thanks,
=========================
AleX
http://www.addictionrecovery.net/new-jersey
Posted by: alex | Jul 19, 2008 4:25:21 AM
Not all firemen are bad. My boyfriend and I were in Cape May, NJ a couple of years ago riding through town on a tandem bicycle. He was tickling me from the back seat just as we passed a firehouse, and all the firemen cheered and whistled.
Posted by: Robert | Dec 4, 2008 11:44:30 AM