The New Jersey referee who was criticized for forcing a black teenager to cut his dreadlocks for a wrestling match is apparently planning to file a lawsuit alleging character defamation and emotional distress related to the incident. The referee, Alan Maloney, sent a tort claim notice earlier this month to a dozen potential defendants, including the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) and Buena School District officials, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Buena officials said soon after the incident that Maloney would no longer work with the school district. Buena School District Superintendent David Cappuccio Jr. declined to comment to HuffPost for legal reasons. The footage showed Johnson winning the match but still distressed, sparking conversations about the trauma black people experience over the racist policing of their hair.

Source: Huffington Post March 19, 2019 22:18 UTC