Stop Asian Hate Rally To Be Held In Scotch Plains

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — A group of students are coming together to host a Stop Asian Hate rally in Scotch Plains on Saturday.

"I think the coronavirus has exasperated anti-Asian sentiment in general and there has been an escalation in hate crimes and violence," said Alexandra Xu of Scotch Plains. "We want to bring awareness and also stand in solidarity and come together."

The rally will be held on Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. at Scotch Plains Village Green, 430 Park Ave. in Scotch Plains. Participants are asked to bring signs, masks and to practice social distancing.

This rally is a student-led effort by Serena Li, Alexandra Xu, Karyne Brown and Elizabeth Romage from Rutgers Prep's Global Outreach Club.

Xu said the rally will start off with a moment of silence and an interactive art display consisting of a large cloth will be hung up for participants to write on or to draw sharing their message of solidarity.

Additionally, community and student leaders will be speaking including Scotch Plains Mayor Joshua Losardo and representatives from Scotch Plains High School’s social justice club.

Violence against Asian Americans has increased since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Eight people, including six women of Asian descent, were killed last month in a string of shootings at spas across the Atlanta area. A recent video showed a 65-year-old Filipino woman brutally attacked on a New York City street while three men looked on from a nearby building.

Growing up Xu said she has experienced "slight little microaggressions" in regards to racism.

"Scotch Plains is a predominantly white community and I didn't experience overt racism but I felt like the token Asian friend," said Xu. "They would ask about my culture, call me exotic."

For more information on the rally email stopasianhatespf@gmail.com.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here. Don't miss local and statewide announcements. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.