Who is Edward Cagney Mathews and why are there protests at his home?
NEW Jersey man Edward Cagney Mathews has had a multitude of people show up at his home protesting against him. Footage of the protesters surrounding Mathews front door has since gone viral on social media, garnering thousands of views since the clip was posted online. Edward Cagney Mathews, 45, has been accused of making racist remarks toward his neighbor after an onlooker caught the interaction on video. The viral clip appears to show Mathews approaching one of his black neighbors and getting near his face. The unidentified neighbor tells Mathews to leave but he argues that he has a right to stand in front of the house and refuses to go. Learn your laws, Mathews allegedly says to the man. Its not Africa.  5 A viral clip appears to show Mathews approaching one of his black neighbors and getting near his face Credit: Facebook  I was born in America, the man replies. The clip also appears to show Mathews allegedly calling the neighbor the n-word and a monkey.  Mathews also seemingly challenges the person recording the clip to bring whoever to his home. As the video spread on social media, people began showing up at his front door three days later. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, over 100 protesters were outside chanting We want Edward! demanding him to come outside. 5 Over 100 protesters gathered outside of Mathews' home after he was accused of making racist remarks Credit: Fox  Aliya Robinson, 43, who lives near Mathews, told the Inquirer: He said to pull up. We pulled up. When Mathews noticed the protesters and cops outside his home, he tried apologizing, reported the Inquirer. However, protesters launched food and water bottles at him as he stepped outside. Mathews tried setting the record straight and told Philadelphias NBC10 that he has never been a racist.  5 Protesters hauled water bottles and food at Mathews as police took him into custody Credit: Fox  "Ive made mistakes, said racial slurs out of anger or being drunk, he added. I may not be able to relate to communities of color but I am not a racist and I have the utmost respect for us as a community." The viral clip shows Mathews being escorted out of his house and taken into a police car as the crowd gathered around him. In a statement posted online on the morning of Monday, July 5, 2021, the Mount Laurel police department said Mathews was charged with harassment and biased intimidation. However, he was initially issued a summons and was not arrested. 5 Various clips of the protest have been shared on social media Credit: AP  Yet, that evening, prosecutors said at a press conference that they were bringing new charges against Mathews based on additional video footage, but did not say what the new charges were. An email to the Burlington County prosecutor seeking additional information was not immediately returned. The Mount Laurel Police Department said it "does not tolerate hate or bias intimidation in any form." They said in a statement: "We can assure our residents that incidents like this are thoroughly investigated and that those who commit such offenses will be held accountable for their actions." Mount Laurels mayor said: "To say that we are appalled by the disturbing and vicious act of hate which was caught on camera would be an understatement. "This mans actions do not reflect who we are as a community nor our values. "Nobody should be made to feel unsafe or unwelcome in their own neighborhood let alone in their hometown...this is not who we are and what our township stands for." Additionally, police say they are investigating other incidents involving Mathews. It was not immediately clear if Mathews has an attorney to represent him.