March Planned In Millburn Saturday To 'Stop Asian Hate'

MILLBURN, NJ — A march and rally have been planned for Saturday afternoon in Millburn to "Stop Asian Hate."

The event is one of several that have been planned in North Jersey this month in response to an increase in bias incidents against Asian Americans in the United States.

A report released earlier this month by the Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism at California State University showed incidents of hate and bias crime were up 149 percent against Asian Americans in 2020, compared to in previous years (the report is here). Many say the rise is linked to the current pandemic.

And this past week, a study showed that bias incidents against Asian Americans are on the rise in New Jersey. READ MORE: NJ Bias Incidents Against Asians Up 82 Percent

Various Essex County political leaders had issued statements last week condemning the murders of eight women in Atlanta, including six Asian-American women.

Event in Millburn and nearby

• Millburn: The Stop Asian Hate march will start at Millburn High School at 2 p.m. and head on Millburn Avenue toward Taylor Park. There will be a rally at Taylor Park some time between 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Email StopAsianHateRally@gmail for more information.
• Westfield: Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle also spoke out, saying that two Westfield families had experienced hateful rhetoric. That town will have a rally at 1 p.m.
• Maplewood: And for those interested in Maplewood's vigil the evening (Friday) before, details are here.

Related news:

• A Short Hills-based professor wrote a recent essay against Asian hate, and spoke to a reporter for the Record about her experiences. See those links here.

Got news? Email caren.lissner@patch.com. Got photos? Please include express written permission from the photographer for us to use them. To be the first to get free news alerts with breaking stories in your town, or to get a free local newsletter each morning, sign up for Patch breaking news alerts or daily newsletters.