The vice principal of a New Jersey middle school was caught on camera when he threw beer on a group of restaurant diners who were filming his wife's harassment of a trans woman.
The video opened with the vice principal's wife complaining to a waitress that a trans woman used the women's bathroom.
She falsely declared:
"But she's a man!"
Eventually, after the people sitting down repeatedly begged her to walk away, her husband—sporting a superman T-shirt and a blue mohawk—launched a beer onto the other diners and proudly stepped back.
He then beckoned them to come to the parking lot:
"There you go. Now you can come out, now you can come out. That's what I thought. As soon as we went there, you'd be zero."
Huffington Post reported the man has been identified as Michael Smurro, the vice principal of Neptune Middle School in Monmouth County, New Jersey.
In a hasty backpedal, Smurro detailed his regrets in a letter to the Associated Press:
"I allowed my emotions to get in the way of my normally sound judgement and reacted in a way that was inappropriate."
"I do not condone violence or discrimination of any kind and should have simply walked away. I apologize to the person I threw my beer at and wish I hadn't done so. I apologize to anyone I offended."
As for the official response from Neptune Middle School, they put out a statement as well.
"This event is troubling as its perception potentially threatens the social-emotional well-being and climate of belonging that our Neptune School District community represents."
"The actions shown in the video do not reflect our district's commitment to inclusivity, cooperation, respect, and non-violence."
"The Board of Education and Superintendent will respond to this incident in a manner that is appropriate and relative to the seriousness of the situation and that takes into consideration the impact this incident has had on the reputation of our wonderful district."
People who came across the video on social media were aghast at the couple's behavior.
Jen Di Staulo/Facebook
Philip Mackenzie/Facebook
New Jersey state law prohibits gender-based discrimination:
"The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) prohibits discrimination based on gender identity or expression. This means that it is against the law for you to be harassed or denied rights and privileges extended to others because of your gender identity or expression or your transgender status."
With the school's investigation still ongoing, it is unclear what consequences Smurro will face.
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