MAHWAH – The Township Council finalized its repeal of a controversial parks ban Thursday night, ending an ordinance that drew allegations of anti-Semitism from multiple state leaders and attracted a civil rights lawsuit from the state Attorney General’s Office.
In a 6-1 vote, the council withdrew the ordinance – which outlawed non-state residents in local parks – and replaced it with language stating that Mahwah’s parks and playgrounds may be used by “Residents and non-residents alike.”
The reversal comes as the township wrangles with a state lawsuit alleging that the township brought forth ordinances that were discriminatory and aimed at addressing a feared “Infiltration” of Mahwah by Orthodox Jews.Arrest made: Mahwah eruv vandalism suspect from September arrested.
Susan Steinberg, a resident who ran unsuccessfully for Township Council in November, said she never felt anti-Semitism in Mahwah until this year.