Prosecutor Investigating NJ Walmart Racial Comment

A racial comment made over the public-address system at a Walmart store in southern New Jersey is being investigated as a possible bias crime, a prosecutor’s office said Thursday.

A male voice came over the system Sunday evening and calmly announced: “Attention, Walmart customers: All black people, leave the store now.”

The announcement, at the Washington Township store, provoked an immediate apology from the store manager and a promise from company officials to try to determine how it happened.

Gloucester County Prosecutor Sean F. Dalton began an investigation Monday {snip}.

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Office spokesman Bernie Weisenfeld said in the statement that its victim-witness unit has contacted the store’s management, offering counseling services to anyone affected by the announcement. The county’s Human Relations Commission was offering similar help.

Officials say several people have come forward and expressed interest in getting counseling.

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