New Jersey Protesters Organized Amid Coronavirus Pandemic In 2020

NEW JERSEY — The late Congressman John Lewis had a phrase he liked to use for the times those comfortable with the discomfort of others needed a bit of agitating.

"Good trouble," he called it.

In New Jersey, a collection of activists — many of whom were young people of color — made sure to engage in plenty of good trouble during a year when many discomforts were brought to the forefront of American life.

After the world watched George Floyd die with then Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin's knee pressed against his neck, protests erupted in cities big and small across the country, including in New Jersey.

They organized in Paterson, Teaneck, Asbury Park, Newark, Hillsborough, Toms River, Lakewood, Seaside Heights, Jersey City, Wall, Trenton, West Orange, Nutley, Belleville and beyond, all to fight for a man and a woman, Breonna Taylor, who died during interactions with police hundreds of miles away.

But throughout the course of these protests, it was clear demonstrators were there for reasons beyond Floyd and Taylor.

They were there for Phillip Pannell, Jameek Lowery and Black people who died during their interactions with police in New Jersey.

As the summer went on and demonstrations continued in some communities across the state, they were met with opposition.

Briefly, protests turned political as supporters of President Donald Trump, president-elect Joe Biden and, surprisingly, the United States Postal Service, made their voices heard prior to the General Election. (Check your 2020 bingo cards for that one.)

But protests, vigils and other demonstrations have continued into December, most recently at the Bergen County Jail in Hackensack, where demonstrators from northeastern New Jersey and New York City gathered daily in support of detainees in ICE custody, who began a hunger strike, hoping for their release.

Below are a collection of stories from the across the state, reported through the course of the year, which represent what a year of demonstrating amid a global pandemic looked like.

Protesters Defy Coronavirus Lockdown In Newark, Keep Heat On ICE

• Newark officials said "stay at home." These protesters refused to obey. Here's why they defied a citywide COVID-19 lockdown

WATCH: Chants, Unity, Clashes In Asbury Park George Floyd Protest

• Live speakers called for justice as crowds chanted "black lives matter" as they marched during the Asbury Park protests in June for George Floyd. Several clashes with police and a reporter's arrest mired the protests, as shown on videos, and several people were arrested and three officers were hurt, officials said.

Paterson Takes To Streets In Peaceful Protest Of Police Violence

• Hundreds marched through the streets of Paterson in solidarity with those protesting the death of George Floyd nationwide.

5 Inspiring Glimpses Into Newark's Peaceful George Floyd Protest

• "Put THIS on the news," a protester wrote, sharing a video of people dancing in unity amid a massive rally in New Jersey's largest city.

Teaneck Remembers Phillip Pannell, Marches For George Floyd

• Demonstrators in Teaneck gathered to march and protest the death of George Floyd, while remembering one of their own.

'Take A Knee!' Protesters In Jersey City Scream At Police. Few Do

• "Take a knee!" the 1,000 or so protesters screamed at police who stood outside City Hall. A few officers knelt, but most stood.

Toms River Police March With George Floyd Protesters

• Law enforcement joined a couple hundred demonstrators and marched to the Ocean County Courthouse chanting George Floyd's name.

Hundreds Flood Streets At Protests In Nutley, Belleville: WATCH

• Video showed peaceful-but-powerful gatherings in Nutley and Belleville. Many residents were happy to see protesters. Others were not.

In Wall, Hundreds Protest Racism In Nation And Neighborhood

• Demonstrators marched from Wall High School in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.

Lakewood George Floyd Protest Emphasizes Unity: Photos

• The demonstrators were urged to remember the unity shown during a prior Black Lives Matter march.

Juneteenth Protesters Shut Down 2 Major Somerset County Highways

• Police shut down Route 22 in Bridgewater and Route 206 in Hillsborough for protesters to kneel on the highway: Photos, Video

Protester Arrested At Black Lives Matter March In Ridgewood

• Video of a young woman being arrested during Saturday's Black Lives Matter protest in Ridgewood sparked an outcry.

Seaside Black Lives Matter March Leader Says Man Hit Him: Video

• Video shows the man who police said was the victim screaming "Take off your mask, scumbag," and grabbing at the march organizer.

This Is What West Orange's Youth BLM Movement Looks Like

• A Black Lives Matter protest in West Orange drew a diverse crowd of supporters. "I'm not Black, but I will fight for you," a sign read.

Fair Lawn Council Will Address Recent Events As Activists Protest

• Area activists will hold a silent vigil Tuesday after competing protests last week featured a heavy police presence and far-right symbols.

'Save Our Mail, Save Our Votes' Rally Planned For Hillsborough

• Face masks and 6-foot social distancing requirements were strictly complied with at the event.

Pro-USPS Demonstrators Deliver Cookies To Wayne Postal Workers

• Roughly 70 protesters were present in Wayne in support of the United States Postal Service on Friday.

Newark Protesters Blast NJPAC Board Member Over Prison Profits

• Activists in Newark picked an unusual target for a protest: a charity benefit for a nonprofit arts center.

Proud Boys Attend Fair Lawn Pro-Trump Rally: Mayor

• "The Proud Boys should never feel welcomed in our community," said Mayor Kurt Peluso, after affiliates were present at a Sunday rally.

PHOTOS: Protests, Hunger Strike Continue At Bergen County Jail

• Activists gathered at Bergen County Jail as an ICE detainee hunger strike continued for the 23rd day.

VIDEO: Protesters, Police Clash Again At Bergen County Jail

• Protesters were arrested as a hunger strike among ICE detainees continued.