Wyckoff Rallies In Response To Racist Graffiti

WYCKOFF, NJ — What began as outrage quickly became action after a local Chinese restaurant had coronavirus graffiti spray painted on the building's exterior.

In response to what a statement from the Township Council called an "act of racism," Wyckoff residents organized a "Rally Against Racism" on Saturday morning at Wyckoff Town Hall.

Residents organized the rally, but some town officials were present, as were religious leaders.

Lisa Eidel, a candidate for the Township Committee, spoke at the rally, but, according to Northjersey.com, only one active member — Elizabeth Fischer — of the five-member Township Committee attended.

Eidel and Dotty Blakeslee, a rally organizer, told the publication that Mayor Timothy Shanley had twice been asked by organizers to speak at the rally, and had not responded.

The Township Committee released a statement on June 17, condemning the act.

"This senseless act is our signal to stand strong against the violent hatred that fueled this attack," read the letter. "Our unity as a community is one of the most potent forces we have to protect Wyckoff."

Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco responded to the graffiti a day later in a Facebook post.

Word of the graffiti has spread throughout the state, and Andy Kim, a Congressman in New Jersey's 3rd District, referenced it on Twitter when addressing news that President Donald Trump referred to the coronavirus as the "Kung-Flu" at his rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma.