Montclair Lantern Fest 2023 Will Stand Against Anti-Asian Hate

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of AAPI Montclair. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

Join AAPI Montclair on Sunday, May 21, 2023 from 6 to 9 p.m. (rain date: June 4) as we illuminate the park with hundreds of lanterns to remember those killed and harmed by violence and injustice, including anti-Asian hate. We stand together against all forms of hate and celebrate community and solidarity, and our shared goals of securing justice for all. There will be performances, speakers, family friendly activities, food vendors and more.

The festival will feature performances by Vanguard Theater Company, Mariah Ayscue (spoken word and poetry), and In-Visible (a dance piece choreographed by Jesse Obremski). Musical performances include BARD, The Passing Notes, Jazz House Kids, The Mellman Brothers and KOE.

Stop by and grab some delicious treats from Rain Bao, Ms. Fu's Yummy Food Truck, Urban Leaf Cafe and Guerriero Gelato,Twelve Hot Dog Lady, Rolling Yatai, and Silantro Taco.

Admission is free with donations accepted at https://www.giveinmay.org/story/034s5f. More details posted on https://aapimontclair.org.

With the support of our community, we hope to cover the cost of the event, support AAPI Montclair's work, and raise meaningful funds for two organizations whose work to safeguard our shared history illuminates our path forward:

• Friends of the Howe House, a community coalition dedicated to preserving the historic home of James Howe, the first African American homeowner in Montclair, and the legacy of the local African American community; and
• to repair the Belleville Dutch Reformed Church, a National Historic Site where Chinese immigrants fleeing violence in the West were welcomed, and which continues to shelter and honor the remains of the Chinese laborers buried there.

A big thank you to our community partners: Friends of the Howe House, Belleville Historical Society, Montclair Civil Rights Commission, Glen Ridge Diversity and Inclusion Association, Montclair Art Museum, Montclair Community Farms, The Montclair Foundation, Montclair History Center, Montclair Mutual Aid, Montclair Scholarship Fund, Montclair Public Library, Montclair NAACP, League of Women Voters of the Montclair Area, NJ Alliance for Immigrant Justice, NJ Division on Civil Rights, NJ Institute for Social Justice, New Jersey Together - Essex, Returning Citizens Support Group, Out Montclair, Professional Filipino American Youth, SOFIA, Studio Players, Succeed2gether / Montclair Literary Festival, Toni's Kitchen, Unitarian Universalist Undoing Racism Committee, Vanguard Theater Company, Vietnamese Boat People, Boy Scouts Troop 12 and Troop 12 G Montclair, Be SMART for Kids/Essex, YMCA of Montclair, and YWCA of Northern New Jersey.

AAPI Montclair is a 501(c)3 nonprofit representing Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and families across New Jersey. Our mission is to create a more inclusive community by uplifting the varied experiences of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, advocating for AAPI rights and representation, and promoting awareness and education around AAPI culture and history. We envision a future where Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders--and all historically marginalized communities--thrive in a just and liberated society.

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