George Floyd protests in New Jersey

Following the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25, 2020, protests erupted around the nation and world. Dozens of protests, several involving thousands of protesters have been held in New Jersey. Unlike in other areas of the country, protests have been mainly peaceful. This is attributed to relatively good community-police relations, memories of the race riots of 1967, and activist leadership maintaining focus on systemic racism.[1] After protests in Trenton and Atlantic City grew violent on May 31, curfews were set for the first time.[2][3] Residents of Atlantic City helped clean up damage after the protests turned destructive.[4]

George Floyd protests in New Jersey
Part of George Floyd protests
Protest in Summit, New Jersey on June 2
DateMay 30, 2020
Location
New Jersey, United States
StatusOngoing

On June 2, Attorney General Gurbir Grewal announced expanded utilization of a use-of-force database, proposed a licensing program for law enforcement, and other initiatives.[5]

Demonstrations
For protests around the U.S., see List of George Floyd protests in the United States.

Asbury Park

Hundreds protested from 5 pm to 8 pm on June 1.[6] The city announced a curfew starting at 8 pm that same night.[7]

Atlantic City

About 100 people protested near Tanger Outlets on May 31. Looting and damage occurred.[8]

Bayonne

On June 7, about 1,000 people marched, kneeled, and came together in Stephen R. Gregg Park. The protest also included a celebration of “Black Bayonne,” which included music and poetry from speakers.[9]

Bordentown

On May 31, over 100 protesters gathered at an intersection in Bordentown City for a candlelight vigil and rally to show that “all lives cannot matter until black lives matter.”[10]

Brick

On June 8, about 300 protesters gathered for a protest near Windward Beach Park.[11]

Caldwell

On June 2, protesters marched from Grover Cleveland Park to the gazebo.[12]

Camden

Hundreds demonstrated in a peaceful march to protest police brutality in the city on May 30. Camden County Police marched alongside demonstrators. The police chief helped hold a "Standing in Solidarity" banner at the front of the march.[13]

Cape May

On June 5, Cape May County NAACP hosted a protest at Superior Court, 9 N. Main St, Cape May Court House.[14]

Cherry Hill

On June 5, hundreds of people protested by symbolically lying in the street for nearly nine minutes, blocking traffic on Haddonfield Road in Cherry Hill.[15]

Clark

On June 12, about 50 protesters marched from Greenfield Madison Avenue Park in Rahway to the Clark Municipal Building where they called on Clark Mayor Sal Bonaccorso to apologize for remarks stating "I am pro-black for all the good black people that I know in my life," and other off-color remarks. The mayor addressed the crowd, only saying that he was sorry if anything he said offended anyone.[16]

Clifton

On June 2, over 400 protesters gathered at Clifton Town Hall before marching down Clifton Avenue and Main Avenue to Passaic City Hall.[9]

Cranford

On June 2, a protest occurred in Cranford.[9]

East Brunswick

On June 12, about 200 people protested at the township's municipal center.[17]

Elizabeth

On June 6, hundreds of protesters marched from City Hall to the Union County Courthouse. Among those marching was the mother of Eric Garner, who was killed by police officers in a similar manner to George Floyd.[18]

Englewood

More than 1,000 people rallied in Mackay Park on May 30 before peacefully marching to the Englewood Police Station.[19]

Franklin

On May 31, hundreds of people protested in a march that began and ended at Franklin Middle School at Hamilton Street Campus in Franklin Township, Somerset County.[20] On June 4, more than 500 people marched from Middlebush Park to protest in front of the Franklin Township Police Department.[21]

Franklinville

On June 8, about 70 protesters marched in Franklin Township, Gloucester County past a group of counterprotestors with All Lives Matter and Trump signs who mockingly re-enacted George Floyd's death, with one man kneeling on the neck of another. The mayor and police chief of Franklin Township condemned the display. The state Department of Corrections suspended an employee at Bayside State Prison who was confirmed to among the group and PBA Local 105, the New Jersey corrections officer union, issued a condemnation. FedEx fired an employee who participated in the counterdemonstration.[22] Peaceful protesters returned to Franklinville on June 13.[23]

Flemington

On June 1, about 100 people protested at the borough park behind the historic Hunterdon County Courthouse. Mayor Betsy Driver posted on Facebook: “This event has not been issued a permit and the leadership behind it is unknown.”[24]

On June 6, around 1,000 protesters marched from the county justice building to the Old Hunterdon County Courthouse.[25]

Florham Park

On June 20, about 1000 protesters organized by Black Lives Matter Morristown and Wind of the Spirit marched from Madison High School to Emmett Park in front of the Florham Park Police Department.[26]

Freehold Township

On May 30, about 35 people displayed signs along a highway in a demonstration called "March on Route 9".[27]

On June 2, about 300 gathered at the Monmouth County Hall of Records on Main Street. The protest was coordinated with the Freehold Police Department, who declined to "take a knee" when the crowd chanted. Angry words were exchanged, but the protest remained peaceful.[28][29]

Glassboro

On May 31, a protest occurred. Police Chief John Polillo addressed the crowd.[9]

Glen Ridge

On May 31, more than 100 protesters assembled together.[30]

Glen Rock

On June 7, approximately 600 people marched in the borough.[31]

Highland Park

On June 2, more than 1000 protesters marched through the borough to the Raritan Bridge and Highland Park High School to hear community leaders speakers.[32][33]

Hightstown

On June 2, a Black Lives Matter protest marched from Hightstown High School to the center of town and back. Police officers "took a knee" when requested.[34]

Hackensack

On June 4, hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the Hackensack courthouse.[35]

On June 6, Kayakers took part in a worldwide "paddle out" – a Hawaiian mourning ritual – for George Floyd and other victims on the Hackensack River.[36]

Hackettstown

On June 1, about 50 protesters marched on Main Street between the Municipal Building and the Civil War Memorial. One counter-protester appeared.[37]

Haddonfield

On May 31, more than 300 protestors marched through downtown Haddonfield in protest of police brutality.[38]

Hillside

On June 7, Governor Phil Murphy joined marchers in Hillside to support BLM and protest police brutality and racism.[39]|

Hoboken
Protesters marching towards Hoboken City Hall on June 5

Protestors variously estimated at "more than 1,000" and "10,000" peacefully marched from Maxwell Place Park to Pier A Park on June 5. A group of protesters gathered at Hoboken City Hall. Most businesses had boarded their windows in fear; one business displayed a sign that read "United" and handed out free pizza and soda to demonstrators. Mayor Ravi Bhalla addressed the rally.[40][41]

Jersey City

On June 1, hundreds marched to the South District police precinct organized by the "Black Men United Coalition." Another organizer said that if looters can change the narrative surrounding protests around the country, "bad cops" can do the same for law enforcement.[42]

Lakewood

On June 6, over 100 people participated in a protest in honor of George Floyd. The March had started at Lakewood High School and ended at Town Hall. Police officers had supported the protest and were on standby if any violent behavior were to occur.[43]

Long Beach Island

On June 6th hundreds of protesters crossed the bridge from Stafford to LBI carrying signs that read "Black Lives Matter" and "Justice for George Floyd."[44]

Long Branch

On May 31, hundreds of protesters gathered at the Pier Village shopping center to chant and speak out about police injustice. At one point, they broke the chanting to kneel in silent unison in front of police.[45]

Millburn

On May 31, approximately 150 protesters waved signs along Millburn Avenue.[46]

Millville

On May 30, nearly 75 demonstrators gathered near City Hall.[9]

Monroe Township

On June 7, over 100 protesters in Monroe Township went to Thompson Park; a park shared by Jamesburg and Monroe. The protests were peaceful.[47]

Montclair

On June 6, an estimated 1000 people peacefully marched through the streets of Montclair and afterwards, in Crane Park, there were several people who spoke passionately to the crowd. [48]

Morristown

On May 30, approximately 200 to 300 people drove and marched peacefully through Morristown and neighboring Morris Township.[49]

Newark

in Newark, a crowd of some 12,000 protesters marched peacefully down Market Street on May 30 at a rally organized by "People's Organization for Progress."[19][50]

Hundreds gathered on June 27th to paint "ALL BLACK LIVES MATTER" on Halsey Street and "ABOLISH WHITE SUPREMACY" on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard near the Essex County Courthouse.[51]

New Brunswick

On May 30, about 300 protesters shouted "Black Lives Matter!" and "No Justice, No Peace!" at Feaster Park where the shooting of Barry Deloatch occurred in 2011.[52]

Newton

On June 6, approximately 300 to 400 protestors gathered on the Newton Green after hundreds marched from Memory Park along Spring Street.[53][54]

Nutley

On June 7, about 600 people rallied together in Yanticaw Park and listened to several speakers before having an 8-minute, 46 second kneeling moment of silence and then marching through the town.[55]

Ocean City

On June 2, hundreds of protesters from Somers Point peacefully marched to the public safety building, police spoke to the crowd, took a knee and joined them in nine minutes of silence. The march continued onto the police station, where protesters laid on the ground and chanted.[56][57]

Paramus

On June 9, two hundred people joined together for a march and speakers at Paramus High School. They planned on marching down Fairview Avenue, but were blocked by police and forced to turn back down Century Road to the school.[58]

Paterson

A rally intended for George Floyd on June 3 was attended by family members of Jameek Lowery who died after an encounter with the Paterson Police in 2019.[59][60]

Princeton

On June 2, thousands protested in downtown Princeton against racism and police brutality, and called for systemic change at an event that included speeches, chanting, and marching.[61]

Rahway

On May 31, protesters held a rally at City Hall demanding more transparency changes in training and more minority representation at the police department.[62]

Ridgewood

On June 10, two thousand people marched from the train station to the YMCA, where speakers included the Ridgewood Chief of Police, New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, and the Bergen County Sheriff.[63]

Rio Grande

On June 1, protesters met at the corner of Route 47 and Route 9 chanting “Black Lives Matter” and “I can't breathe."[56]

Rutherford

On June 7, a Black Lives Matter march and rally was held in Rutherford. The peaceful march began at Union School and ended with speakers at Lincoln Park. [64]

Somers Point

On June 2, protesters gathered in Somers Point and peacefully marched over the 9th Street Bridge towards Ocean City.[56]

Somerville

Daily protests have taken place outside the offices of Rep. Tom Malinowski on N. Bridge Street. Small groups start there and walk through neighborhoods and major thoroughfares in the county seat.[65]

South Brunswick

More than 500 protesters gathered at the Crossroads North Middle School on June 2. The large group marched along Georges Road to Route 522 and back again.[66]

Teaneck

On June 5, hundreds of protesters blocked Route 4 for ten minutes before marching to the Englewood police station to protest police brutality.[67]

Toms River

On June 2, about 200 protesters gathered at a shopping center on Route 37 and marched peacefully with police to the Ocean County courthouse.[56][68]

Trenton
Protest signs at the World War I memorial in Weehawken

Several groups including Black Lives Matter gathered at the New Jersey Statehouse on May 30. Later that evening, violence and looting erupted in Downtown Trenton when various businesses were broken into and multiple police vehicles where set on fire or stolen.[69]

Wayne

Roughly 1,000 demonstrators gathered at the Wayne Township Municipal Building on June 6.[70]

West Orange

Thousands of people gathered at Town Hall to protest against brutality and ask for police reform.[71] A petition with seven points for police reform had gathered over 6000 signatures.[71]

Wildwood

On June 5, Cape May County NAACP hosted a protest at Fox Park.[72]

Willingboro

As of May 30, a lone man has come each day to a corner across from a mini-mall in his small Burlington County hometown holding a sign that says "Stop Black Genocide." He moved back home from Atlanta just to do this. He has been joined by others day he has been joined by others; on May 30, the number present was twelve.[73]

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