Racial tensions shine spotlight on discrimination in the Hudson Valley

Nationwide racial tensions are shining a spotlight on discrimination in the Hudson Valley, where multiple incidents this week are causing outrage.

News 12 Staff

Jun 4, 2020, 9:28 PM

Updated 1,513 days ago

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Nationwide racial tensions are shining a spotlight on discrimination in the Hudson Valley, where multiple incidents this week are causing outrage.
Outside Village Hall in Monticello Thursday, hundreds of protesters demanded officials fire DPW Supervisor Raymond Jones - after a racial rant was caught on camera and leaked to News 12.
Jones called several employees racial slurs and used the N-word more than once, sparking outrage that prompted the longtime village employee to step down days later.
"He will be leaving the village employment," said Monticello Mayor Gary Sommers.
That incident of racism is one of many now coming to the surface in the Hudson Valley.
Sabrina Jennings, of Warwick, posted about her experience with racism online, as are others who shared a photo of a Confederate flag in town, which News 12 confirmed.
"There were a bunch of kids - probably just got their license – who decided to yell the N-word at me," says Jennings.
Racially charged political posts by the owner of a popular body shop also sparked outrage in nearby Chester, as were posts by a Wallkill fire chief. The chief is now suspended for his racist remarks.
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