South Brunswick Human Relations Commission Decries Asian Hate

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — The South Brunswick Human Relations Commission on Monday released a statement in solidarity with the Asian American community, following the shootings in Atlanta, GA that killed eight people including six Asian women.

The commission said it was “deeply saddened by the sharp increase” in hate crimes and discrimination against Asian-Americans in the U.S.

“It is disheartening when someone feels the need to attack another just because they are perceived as different. South Brunswick Township does not tolerate any type of racist and violent behavior targeting Asian-Americans or any other members of the community as it goes against our core values of diversity, integrity and inclusion,” the statement said.

The Commission condemned the recent acts of violence and said they “stand in solidarity with the Asian-American community. “

“It is the mission of the South Brunswick Human Relations Commission to promote unity and foster cooperation amongst individuals and groups in order to strengthen our community,” the commission said.

“Let us remember that kindness is contagious and to continue to stand up against hate and discrimination in our community.”

The commission asked residents who witness or are targets of bias crime and incidents to report them immediately to the South Brunswick Police Department at 732-329-4646.

On March 16, a gunman opened fire at three massage parlors across the metro Atlanta area. Police charged Robert Aaron Long, 21, with the shootings.

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

Over the past year, advocates have expressed their concern over the rise of violence against Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, which they say has been growing since the pandemic.

In March 2020, the group Stop AAPI Hate was formed to help prevent discrimination against the community.

The group recently released a report saying they received 3,795 reports of hate incidents between March 19, 2020 to Feb. 28, 2021.

Since the shooting, many town officials across New Jersey have expressed their concern and shown solidarity with the AAPI community.

In neighboring Princeton, Mayor Mark Freda released a statement condemning the violence and asking residents to “speak out” against hate.

Read More Here: 'Speak Out' Against Hate: Princeton Mayor On Anti-Asian Violence

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