Over 2,000 lanterns light up New Jersey park to remember anti-Asian hate victims

More than 2,000 lanterns illuminated a local New Jersey park in an event that remembered and called for justice for victims of anti-Asian hate.

Key points:

Hundreds reportedly attended the Lantern Festival for Justice and Remembrance at Edgemont Memorial Park in Montclair to honor victims of violence and injustice, including anti-Asian hate.
The festival is organized by AAPI Montclair, a nonprofit founded amid the surge in anti-Asian hate incidents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It featured remarks from notable figures, live performances, food and drinks.

The details:

Over 2,000 lanterns were lit up across the park. Attendees dedicated each lantern to a loved one who was harmed or killed by violence.
The festival, now in its fourth year, was organized by AAPI Montclair, a local nonprofit founded to address public school incidents amid the rise of anti-Asian hate during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The organization has since expanded to include advocacy at the local and state levels, events promoting cultural awareness and understanding, statewide educational initiatives and resources empowering the AAPI community.
The event saw remarks by New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, Amol Sinha ofAmerican Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)-New Jersey, Jafreen Uddin of the Asian American Writers’ Workshop and Emmy-winning TV host Buki Elegbede. It also featured live performances, food and drinks.
“It’s one of the few times of the year where I feel like there are a lot of the Asian community all in one place,” Chris Lin, a resident of Glen Ridge, told News 12 New Jersey. “There’s not a high percentage of Asians in New Jersey where we live. It just feels like there’s lots of us in one place, it really feels like community and special.”

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