East Brunswick Mayor Condemns Anti-Asian Violence

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — East Brunswick mayor Brad Cohen on Wednesday released a statement condemning the shooting in Atlanta that claimed the lives of at least eight people, including six Asian women.

“I will not remain silent as members of our Asian community remain the target of bias and hate crime,” Cohen said in the statement.

The mayor said in the past years, East Brunswick has worked hard to “establish and promote a tolerant and diverse community.”

He called the township’s diversity a strength and said residents need to keep working on it.

“As hard as we try, we cannot ignore the world around us and we cannot fall victim to weakness,” he said.

Cohen asked residents to report any incident of hate or bias crime, including comments or actions to the local police department.

“Any such incidents in the schools should be reported to the administration office in those schools,” he said.

On Tuesday, a gunman opened fire at three massage parlors across the metro Atlanta area.

Police have charged Robert Aaron Long, 21, with the shootings.

Atlanta Police Chief Rodney Bryant said it was too early to determine the motive of the shooting.

However, Cherokee County Sheriff's Capt. Jay Baker said Wednesday the gunman admitted to the killings and blamed the massage parlors for fueling his sex addiction.

Read More Here: Metro Atlanta Massage Parlor Shootings: 5 Things To Know

Since the shooting, advocates have expressed their concern over anti-Asian violence , which they say has been growing since the pandemic.

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