Solidarity vigil against hate and bigotry set for Dec. 15 in Princeton

The Coalition for Peace Action is sponsoring a solidarity vigil against hate and bigotry from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 15 at Tiger Park, which is located at the front of Palmer Square facing Nassau Street.

A double-digit spike in hate crimes was recorded in major cities last year and the numbers have continued to rise in 2022. Incidents targeting Asian and Jewish Americans accounted for the bulk of the increase in 2021. On average, bias-motivated incidents in 37 major U.S. cities increased by nearly 39%, with the 10 largest metropolitan areas reporting a record increase of 54.5%, according to an analysis of national police data compiled by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University.

This year, at least 34 transgender people have been fatally shot or killed by other violent means. Often these stories go unreported or are misreported, according to the Human Rights Campaign. In previous years, the majority of these people were Black and Latinx transgender women. Daniel Aston, a 28-year-old transgender man, and Kelly Loving, a 40-year-old trans woman, were killed in the Club Q mass shooting in Colorado Springs on Nov. 20. Experts also say hate against minority groups via social media and online harassment also has increased.

“It is imperative that all people of good will stand in solidarity to oppose any expression of hatred and bigotry, especially violent expressions,” said the Rev. Robert Moore, executive director of the Coalition for Peace Action. “This is a key aspect of peacemaking within our own nation, and is the primary way we can work to prevent worsening expressions of hatred and bigotry afflicting our society.”

If you plan to attend the vigil,  jnew@peacecoalition.org. and indicate how many people will be with your group so the Coalition for Peace Action can plan for the event and make enough posters and signs. You can also bring your own poster.