EDISON -- Mayor Jun Choi sharply criticized a pornography convention Tuesday that was slated for the Meadowlands but was moved to Edison after organizers faced strong opposition and the threat of legal action from Secaucus officials.
"We strongly object to this event coming to Edison," Choi said. "There's no place for it in our community."
Convention organizers on Monday announced that EXXXOTICA New York, which is to feature dozens of adult film stars, product exhibitions and performances, was being relocated to the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center in Raritan Center this weekend.
The move came after Secaucus filed a suit Monday to stop the convention from happening inside the Hudson County town. But Choi said Edison is "in a different legal position" than Secaucus, which filed its suit in Superior Court in Jersey City. The suit alleges the convention violates state law prohibiting liquor license owners from presenting a show with nudity and themes of sexuality.
Choi said convention organizers did not contact the township before the move was made from Secaucus but that there has since been a discussion.
"There are safeguards we are putting in place," he said.
There will be security in the area, paid for by the convention, to ensure that no minors go through and that there is no indecent exposure, he said.
Victory Tradeshow Management, the convention's producer, said it was exploring its legal options against the Secaucus suit, but did not want to postpone the show. A statement by company director J. Handy touted the Edison venue as "bigger and better." The convention is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 12 through Sunday, Sept. 14.
