Hundreds expected to participate in ‘kneel for justice’ rally against racism in downtown Princeton tonight

Road closure barriers could be seen on Nassau Street and Witherspoon Street Tuesday as police prepared for protesters to hold a rally. Photo: Krystal Knapp.

Several community groups have joined together to host a “kneel for justice” rally against racism and police brutality tonight, June 2, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Nassau Street in front of Princeton University.

The event is being organized by the founders of Choose, a non-profit created by two Princeton High School alumni to promote racial literacy. Several other groups are participating in the event, including Not in Our Town and the Coalition for Peace Action.

Organizers say the event is a peaceful, socially-distanced rally meant to show solidarity with black people everywhere. Participants are asked to remain six-feet apart and stand, sit or kneel. Organizers in gloves will be handing out chalk for artwork on the sidewalks.

Portions of Nassau Street and Witherspoon Street downtown will be closed off during the rally.

On Monday, a few dozen students and former students from the Princeton area spent the afternoon and evening protesting police brutality and racism in front of the FitzRandolph Gate on Nassau Street. Protests have taken place across the region. Residents of South Brunswick hosted a March on Tuesday at noon. This past weekend, two rallies were held in front of the State House in Trenton.