It all started with the controversial remarks that Atlantic County Freeholder John Carman posted to Facebook on the day of the Women’s March on Washington.
Now, after the post received some backlash and criticism, some South Jersey women are planning to take action and show up at the freeholder meeting Tuesday to tell him how they feel.
Carman, a Republican who is up for re-election this year, posted Saturday a meme that featured a woman cooking soup and the caption, “Will the woman’s protest be over in time for them to cook dinner?”
Janice Ursani, 58, of Smithville heard about the remarks after returning from the Women’s March in Washington, D.C. and decided, with a few others on Facebook, to attend the next freeholder meeting to speak up.
“We were offended,” Ursani said. “That’s not a joke, I’m sorry, it’s not. That’s one of the reasons we went to Washington.”
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While Carman said Monday the post was meant to be a joke, Atlantic County Democrats denounced the post, some calling it misogynistic and hateful.
“On Saturday, millions of women all across the country and the world stood up to hate, intolerance and misogyny,” Atlantic County Democratic Committee Chairman Mike Suleiman said. “That same day, Freeholder Carman embraced the very hate, intolerance and misogyny just to get a few shallow ‘likes’ on Facebook.”
The Atlantic County Democrats Facebook page posted Monday inviting people who were offended by Carman’s post to attend the next Freeholder meeting, which is Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m. at the Stillwater Building, 201 Shore Road in Northfield.
“I fully support women’s rights and issues,” Carman said Monday. “I thought it was funny. People need to lighten up.”
Public comment has begun. First comment: "The joke will be on you when we take your seat away this year in the election."
— John DeRosier (@ACPressDeRosier) January 24, 2017
Public commenter brought John Carman takeout menus from various restaurants
— John DeRosier (@ACPressDeRosier) January 24, 2017
John Carman's wife, Joanne, defends her husband at the freeholder meeting. She says America has lost its sense of humor. pic.twitter.com/Kw8vue3Gx6
— John DeRosier (@ACPressDeRosier) January 24, 2017
Northfield resident Eileen Toland tells Carman that the joke was not funny. Says the residents are now watching everything they are doing pic.twitter.com/4yvWHHgpJc
— John DeRosier (@ACPressDeRosier) January 24, 2017
