Giant call for City Hall "Bench" protest Wednesday - Postponed due to weather

The Washington Street disappearing bench controversy continues with a second round of protests announced for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall.

After the Ravi Bhalla Administration quietly "disappeared," a slew of benches on Washington Street, Kurt Gardiner, a long-time Hoboken resident and voice in the defunct Mile Square City Reform Movement, organized a beach-style bench protest at 7th and Washington earlier this month.

Gardiner notes the response by Team Bhalla saw some benches quietly returned in downtown Hoboken without the installation bolts screwed into the sidewalk.

In an email this morning to Hoboken Election 2025, Gardiner alleges eight benches between Fifth and Tenth Street remain MIA, stating, "I am putting the City on notice that those were all there previously... I want them all put back, or a real good reason why not." 

He adds that approximately half a dozen benches have been returned downtown on Washington Street between First and Fourth Streets. 

An ordinance to end the Ravi Bhalla practice of removing Washington Street benches without public input lacks a second sponsor to be included on the agenda at the City Council meeting Wednesday night. Two city council members must sponsor a resolution for its consideration. 

The disappearing Washington Street bench controversy is seeing political waves with two of Team Bhalla's council allies, Emily Jabbour and Joe Quintero, feeling the public heat. Both are running in November, Jabbour for mayor, and Quintero seeking re-election on her at-large council slate. 





The rally will be postponed due to the weather. 

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