MONTCLAIR — A 9-year-old Black girl was celebrated by local and state officials after her mother said she had been racially profiled by a white neighbor while attempting to eliminate spotted lanternflies last 12 months.
State Attorney General Matt Platkin joined the Montclair Police Department on Friday for the ceremony recognizing young Bobbi Wilson.
“Her perseverance reminds us all that we are able to overcome hate together. She is a number one light, not only for her community, but our entire State,” Platkin said in a tweet.
NJ girl honored in Montclair, after being profiled by neighbor for spraying for lanternflies (NJ AG Matt Platkin via Twitter) 2
“I wanted it to be a teachable moment for my community,” ABC 7 Eyewitness News quoted her mother, Monique Joseph, as saying during Friday’s ceremony. “I’m grateful I even have Bobbi every night.”
NJ girl profiled by neighbor for spraying for lanternflies (Caldwell Borough)
In November, Joseph spoke at a Caldwell Borough Council meeting, sharing the outline that Gordon Lawshe had called into borough police on Oct. 22 a couple of “little Black woman walking, spraying stuff on the sidewalks and trees.”
Lawshe added he was “scared” by the actions, which responding officers found was actually the girl’s efforts to assist the neighborhood.
Bobbi was using a recipe shared on TikTok, mixing apple cider vinegar and soap to spray for the invasive insect that has been a bane on the state for the past several years.
“Racism, whether intentional or not, continues to be racism,” Joseph said on the November meeting.
“It’s sickening and scary to listen to my neighbor use triggering words which have resulted within the death of too many Black and brown children and adults by the hands of the police. ‘Black.’ ‘Hoodie.’ ‘I’m scared.’ Those are triggered words,” Joseph said.
NJ girl profiled by neighbor for spraying for lanternflies honored by state, town (Gov. Murphy’s Office)
Gov. Phil Murphy then voiced support for the family.
“No mother should must worry concerning the cops being called on their child for attempting to make the world a greater place,” Murphy said in a tweet.
“Bobbi, your mother was right. You were doing something amazing for our surroundings. Thanks for being an important community scientist.”
Erin Vogt is a reporter and anchor for Recent Jersey 101.5. You’ll be able to reach her at erin.vogt@townsquaremedia.com
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