Dozens Gather At Vigil In Livingston To Support Asian Community

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Dozens of people gathered in Livingston on Tuesday evening in a show of solidarity for the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community.

The candlelight vigil was held in the wake of fatal shootings at several spas that claimed eight lives in Georgia last week. Police said the gunman admitted to the killings, and blamed the massage parlors for fueling his sex addiction.

While authorities have said the suspect claims the shooting wasn't racially motivated, many New Jersey advocates have since expressed fear in the wake of the shootings, and have pointed to a rise in anti-Asian violence across the nation since the coronavirus pandemic began.

Other New Jersey residents have come out with stories about racism and bigotry they experienced long before last week's shootings.

• See related article: NJ Bias Incidents Against Asians Up 82%, New Data Shows
• See related article: Livingston 'Stands Behind Asian Community' After Spa Shootings

The Livingston Committee for Diversity and Inclusion posted a video from Tuesday’s vigil (watch it below).

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