Groups Tied To White Supremacy March In Princeton Without Permit, Police Say

PRINCETON, NJ — Princeton police are investigating a march held Saturday by a group of about a dozen people carrying flags associated with white supremacist organizations, a police spokesperson confirmed.

The group did not apply for a permit through the town, police said. Officers working Saturday received reports of the gathering and responded to the area.

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Participants, who were wearing neck gaiters covering their faces, displayed a banner reading "Keep New Jersey White" during the march, according to photos taken at the scene.

"As of now we can confirm that there was a group of approximately 12 individuals on Saturday that were carrying multiple flags that have been associated with white supremacist groups throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania," police said.

"These groups did not apply for a permit through the town. Our officers working Saturday did receive reports of this gathering and responded to the area. While we have documented the incident and are actively looking into the group, there is nothing as of yet that would elevate this to a bias crime."

Princeton Mayor Mark Freda, who is currently traveling in Australia, condemned the demonstration in a statement to Patch.

"This is deplorable, and does not reflect the feelings or culture of Princeton," Freda said. "Princeton is not this and it is a shame these people decided to gather in town to display a message that our town totally rejects."

One of the groups involved, Garden State Active Club, described the event in a post on the social media platform X. The group said the march was organized by Atlantic Youth and included members of Northeast Action, Pennsylvania Active Club and Garden State Active Club.

According to the post, participants marched to the Princeton Battle Monument, where a speech was given, before continuing through downtown Princeton. The group said the demonstration ended without incident and was followed by a private cookout and training event.

The group characterized the march as youth-led, calling it the first demonstration of its kind in what it termed "American nationalist history."

Police said the investigation into the group and the march remains active. No bias crime determination has been made at this stage, according to police.

Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com