Jan
01

Popular NJ Rink Shut Down After Teen Murder

Skate NewsJanuary 1st, 2009RST_newsReply

Skate 22, a popular rink for New Jersey/New York R&B skaters, was shut down by the city last week after a teenager was murdered in the parking lot after having attended an all night skate party.  An investigation is ongoing but law enforcement officials are indicating the shooting may have been gang-related and a result of an altercation between 2 groups which started inside the rink and then moved outside to the parking lot.

Read more from news reports via these links:

Progress in Rink Murder Investigation (New Jersey Star Ledger)

 Lessons from Skate 22 Tragedy (New Jersey Star Ledger Editorial)

 Skate 22 Shut Down in Wake of Fatal Shooting (Union Local Source)

 City Votes to Shut Down Skate 22 After Teen Death (MSNBC)

  Pleas for Justice at Slain Teen’s Vigil (New Jersey Star Ledger)

 Also, based on some of the reader comments to the Star Ledger editorial, views are split; some supporting the closure of the rink and making comments indirectly along racial lines, insinuating the problem stems from poor parenting skills of Black and poor people, others finding the move to be hasty and not well thought out.  Here are a couple of those comments:

Posted by t83088 on 12/30/08 at 12:05PM

Skate 22 is my second home. I brought my first pair of skate there, perfected my skating, met many new friends, even formed a second family. What happened on Christmas Night is very unfortunate & my hearts goes to the D’Haiti family, but let’s not forget, it could’ve happened anywhere. Closing Skate 22 was a very bad choice, now all the “wannabe thugs” are just gonna go to Union Theatres or somewhere else to cause chaos. Why should me and other skate families suffer because of one dumb teen trying to “prove a point”? The rink has gospel night, kid’s night and throws kid’s birthday parties…it means good. It should DEFINITELY be reopened…everytime I go there are always poilice cars outside making sure everyone gets home safely or finds there ride…where were they at on Christmas night?????

Posted by sehjah06 on 12/30/08 at 11:11AM

The way this generation is heading they will have no where to go except be home. Now its Skate 22, next will be the movies, a private party held a hall, a high school game, etc. etc. Most of these young children do not respect their own mothers and fathers and this enhances their disrespect for human life including their own. Babies having babies, being grandparents at age 35, deadbeat mom and dads, kids self entitlement, etc. etc. All of this sh$t is just plain crazy and it starts at HOME. Skate 22 has to decide whether its all about money or if they want to provide a fun place for children and parents to go and then set boundaries

>>>>>

 

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3 Comments

  • concerned citizen
    January 2, 2009 at 3:59 am

    Please sign the petition at http://www.saveskate22.org to re-open the Skate22 rink in Union NJ.

    also, spread the word about this website to others

    Reply
  • Zakee Freeman
    January 4, 2009 at 12:03 am

    My name is Zakee Freeman,14 years of age, and i was born and raised in Newark,New Jersey. I’ve been going to Skate 22 since the age of 5, and when i heard that Skate 22 was closed down. I thought of all the times i shared with family and friends their. From the first time i stepped foot in a pair of skates, to my first fall,or my first group skate, and how i felt the comfort and love at the rink. Just to know that i could trust the brother or sister holding my hand next to me made me feel at home. Closing skate 22 is like taking away a part of our communities heart.It was a place to get away from all the everyday hassle’s and let all your stress go as u glide across that wooden floor feeling on top of the world.I f u had a heart u would do the necessary things so we can recieve that part of our hearts back,so i can have a real reason to come back to new jersey,so my kids and their kids etc. can enjoy the love filled building they call skate 22.

    Reply
  • Ajlouny
    January 27, 2009 at 5:46 pm

    It used to be safe an wholesome to allow your kids to go skating. I did when I was a child and it never crossed my mind that my life would be at risk. It’s not the skating rink that is the problem, it’s the people that surround our society that have no regard for life this are the problem.

    Reply

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