New Jersey Man Charged after Throwing ‘Coronavirus Party’ With 47 People in Attendance
A man from Ewing, New Jersey, was charged after throwing a “coronavirus party” with 47 people in his apartment on Friday night.
Wade E. Jackson, 47, was issued summonses for “obstructing the administration of law or other governmental function” and violating the “Emergency and Temporary Acts.”
The police were tipped off by an anonymous call about the party.
In a statement about the party on Facebook, the Ewing Police Department reminded the public that under Democrat Governor Phil Murphy’s executive order “gatherings of individuals, such as parties, celebrations, or other social events, are cancelled, unless otherwise authorized by any part of this Order. The State Director of Emergency Management, who is the Superintendent of the State Police, shall have the discretion to make clarifications and issue orders related to this provision.”
Governor Murphy also let loose about the party on Twitter, writing “NO CORONA PARTIES” in all capital letters.
Can’t believe I have to say this at all, let alone for the second time. But here we are.— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) March 28, 2020
NO CORONA PARTIES. They’re illegal, dangerous, and stupid.
We will crash your party. You will pay a big fine. And we will name & shame you until EVERYONE gets this message into their heads.
“Can’t believe I have to say this at all, let alone for the second time. But here we are. NO CORONA PARTIES. They’re illegal, dangerous, and stupid. We will crash your party. You will pay a big fine. And we will name & shame you until EVERYONE gets this message into their heads,” Gov. Murphy tweeted on Saturday.
In a subsequent tweet, he took aim at Jackson directly and vowed to name and shame people who ignore the order.
Last night, Ewing Township Police broke up a party with 47 people – including a DJ – crammed into a 550-square foot apartment. The organizer was charged, as they should have been and deserved to be.— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) March 28, 2020
This is not a game. Stay home. Be smart.
“Last night, Ewing Township Police broke up a party with 47 people – including a DJ – crammed into a 550-square foot apartment. The organizer was charged, as they should have been and deserved to be,” Gov. Murphy wrote. “This is not a game. Stay home. Be smart.”
There have been 11,124 coronavirus cases in the state as of Saturday and at least 140 have died.
Earlier in the week, two people in Lakewood were charged for having a gathering of 25 people at a school.
