Westfield Mayor: Two Local Families Affected By Anti-Asian Hate

WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle wrote a letter to a local newspaper this past week in response to recent bias incidents against Asian Americans, noting that there will be a rally against anti-Asian bigotry at Mindowaskin Park this coming Saturday (details here). She also said she was told by a local group "that two Asian American families right here in Westfield have been the targets of bigoted rhetoric."

She added, "This behavior is unacceptable and has no place here."

Brindle sent the letter out in an email to residents Wednesday (the full text is at the end of the story).

A report released earlier this month by the Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism at California State University showed incidents of hate and bias crimes were up 149 percent against Asian Americans in 2020, compared to in previous years (the report is here). Many say the rise is linked to the current pandemic.

And this week, a study showed that bias incidents against Asian-Americans are on the rise in New Jersey. READ MORE: NJ Bias Incidents Against Asians Up 82 Percent

Incidents cited in media reports have ranged from comments such as "Go back to your country" to violence. Various North Jersey political leaders had issued statements last week condemning the murders of eight women in Atlanta, including six Asian-American women.

The letter

Brindle said in her letter that she attended the #StopAsianHate rally in Cranford Sunday.

"Like many of you, I am deeply saddened and angered by the increasing acts of hatred and bigotry being directed at the AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) community," she wrote. "The recent murders in Atlanta were horrific tragedies that claimed eight lives and, while they have not been confirmed as hate crimes, they come at a time when the AAPI community is undoubtedly under continued assault."

She added:

<blockquote>

"I was proud to join hundreds of concerned neighbors on Sunday evening at the #StopAsianHate rally in Cranford to show support for our AAPI brothers, sisters, friends, and neighbors. It was gratifying to see so many participants standing in solidarity with the AAPI community to publicly denounce any and all forms of bigotry, hate, and prejudice.

"I was joined by Councilwoman Linda Habgood, along with members of the Westfield Area Chinese American Association (WACAA), an organization that has devoted countless hours of volunteer service to Westfield.

"The WACAA has been in touch with our Human Relations Advisory Commission (HRAC) so that they can work together and bring the benefit of their combined resources to the community at this difficult time. They have planned a peaceful protest to be held in Mindowaskin Park this Saturday at 1 p.m. Please come out and join them in solidarity.

"If you think hate speech is a problem that just exists somewhere else, that's sadly incorrect. I was informed by members of HRAC that two Asian American families right here in Westfield have been the targets of bigoted rhetoric. This behavior is unacceptable and has no place here.

"Chief Battiloro has assured the members of the WACAA that the Westfield Police Department has a zero tolerance position regarding bias incidents, and in these cases they utilize both the investigative and enforcement elements of the law enforcement community to take immediate action following any and all suspected or confirmed bias incidents. They also place a special emphasis on victim assistance and community relations in order to reduce victim trauma and community tension and fear.

"Every bias incident reported to the Westfield Police Department is reviewed by law enforcement at many levels, including the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, the Office of the Attorney General, and even the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness.

"Anyone found to have engaged in a bias crime will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.If you or someone you know has experienced an incident of hatred or bigotry of any sort, please report it to the police, and, in turn, reach out to HRAC at HRAC@westfieldnj.gov so they can work with their established community liaisons to support the victims and pursue their mission to create a town where hate has no home.

"The AAPI community has the unwavering support of this administration, and I am grateful to the WACAA and HRAC for their ongoing work to keep the lines of communication open about the harm in these acts, as we continue to strive for a more inclusive community."

Mayor Shelley Brindle

</blockquote>

Related news:

• The Westfield police reported this week that a swastika was found etched at Westfield High School. READ MORE: Westfield Police Investigating Swastikas At High School
• A Short Hills-based professor wrote a recent essay against Asian hate, and spoke to a reporter for the Record about her experiences. See those links here.

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