Police: Video shows pair posting racist flyers about mayoral candidate

<p>Hoboken police released surveillance video Monday of two men accused of posting flyers that made incendiary racial remarks about a mayoral candidate.</p>

News 12 Staff

Nov 6, 2017, 5:35 PM

Updated 2,380 days ago

Share:

Police: Video shows pair posting racist flyers about mayoral candidate
Hoboken police released surveillance video Monday of two men accused of posting flyers that made incendiary racial remarks about one of the city’s mayoral candidates. 
The flyers centered on candidate Ravi Bhalla and were placed on windshields of cars Friday night and Saturday morning in random neighborhoods of the city.
The flyer reads, "Don't let terrorism take over our town," accompanied by a photo of Bhalla wearing his turban, which he wears in order to follow his religion as a Sikh.
Hoboken police said the two people in the video are considered “persons of interest,” and ask anyone who recognizes either person to contact the department at 201-420-2131 or 201-420-2106.
The corner of the flyer noted that it was paid for by Team DeFusco, regarding candidate Michael DeFusco. Authorities said DeFusco’s campaign was the first to bring the flyers to their. He adamantly denied any connection to them, condemning them as "racist garbage."
Bhalla said the flyers are upsetting, but said he does not want the racist comment to paint all of Hoboken in a negative light. 
"It's not what Hoboken is about," he said. "We are a very welcoming and diverse community. I wouldn't be elected twice as a councilman if we weren't, so this unfortunate incident is definitely not reflective of our community." 
Bhalla has served as a Hoboken councilman for eight years and has been endorsed by outgoing Mayor Dawn Zimmer.
Police are investigating the matter as a bias incident. 


More from News 12
1:50
Police seek identities of drivers seen operating school buses dangerously in Monsey

Police seek identities of drivers seen operating school buses dangerously in Monsey

1:45
Rain expected late Tuesday into Wednesday

Rain expected late Tuesday into Wednesday

0:25
Yonkers police seek suspects in pepper-spray incident at ShopRite

Yonkers police seek suspects in pepper-spray incident at ShopRite

2:14
Police investigate claims of antisemitic flyers, messages at Monsey business that put up Israeli flag

Police investigate claims of antisemitic flyers, messages at Monsey business that put up Israeli flag

0:45
Yonkers Police Department kicks off National Police Week

Yonkers Police Department kicks off National Police Week

1:13
Transgender bathroom policy discussed by community at Wappingers School District board meeting

Transgender bathroom policy discussed by community at Wappingers School District board meeting

0:30
Hit-and-run crash injures 2 police officers in Poughkeepsie

Hit-and-run crash injures 2 police officers in Poughkeepsie

0:53
Principal: 2 middle school students attacked by ‘group of adults’ in Newburgh

Principal: 2 middle school students attacked by ‘group of adults’ in Newburgh

0:49
Attempted murder suspect charged in violent Poughkeepsie attack released on $1,350 bail

Attempted murder suspect charged in violent Poughkeepsie attack released on $1,350 bail

1:49
Latimer and Bowman square off in News 12 debate for Democratic nod in 16th Congressional District

Latimer and Bowman square off in News 12 debate for Democratic nod in 16th Congressional District

1:35
MTA makes 50,000 MetroCards featuring Bronx rapper Ice Spice

MTA makes 50,000 MetroCards featuring Bronx rapper Ice Spice

NYC man fled traffic stop, crashed on Saw Mill River Parkway; faces slew of charges

NYC man fled traffic stop, crashed on Saw Mill River Parkway; faces slew of charges

0:20
Traffic Alert: Road work in Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson

Traffic Alert: Road work in Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson

2:32
‘You hurt a family.’ Kane In Your Corner reveals animal rescue concerns about Pixies and Paws

‘You hurt a family.’ Kane In Your Corner reveals animal rescue concerns about Pixies and Paws

0:22
New Rochelle man arrested for assaulting two men with baseball bat

New Rochelle man arrested for assaulting two men with baseball bat

0:59
Headlines: Saw Mill Parkway pursuit, off-road vehicle death, missing girl

Headlines: Saw Mill Parkway pursuit, off-road vehicle death, missing girl

1:52
Music legend Paul McCartney responds to viral video of Brooklyn Beatles fan

Music legend Paul McCartney responds to viral video of Brooklyn Beatles fan

0:23
Apple Cinemas set to open new theater complex in downtown White Plains

Apple Cinemas set to open new theater complex in downtown White Plains

0:28
Westchester's beer festival season begins with Suds on the Sound

Westchester's beer festival season begins with Suds on the Sound

0:22
Blossoming community sensory garden in Highland Falls reconnects residents

Blossoming community sensory garden in Highland Falls reconnects residents