Above: Gottheimer speaks during this week’s Stop AAPI Hate candlelight vigil in Dumont.

DUMONT, NJ — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer stood in solidarity with local leaders and members of the North Jersey community at a candlelight vigil in Dumont this week to stop hate against our Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. The Dumont vigil comes following this month’s tragic shootings in Atlanta, recent attacks on Asian-Americans, anti-Asian vandalism in North Jersey during the pandemic, and years of discrimination against AAPI communities.

There have been nearly 3,800 reports of incidents targeting the AAPI community over the past year.

“From the tragic shootings in Atlanta, to racist attacks on members of these communities in New York City and elsewhere, to vandalism here in North Jersey — like a Chinese restaurant in my town of Wyckoff — these are vicious and vile acts that go against everything our country should stand for. But, I’m honored to join everyone here — standing in solidarity, standing in unity, as we fight to stop hate against the AAPI community,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “It’s incredible to have state and local leaders, members of our community, law enforcement, and religious leaders — all coming together to stand up for justice and to fight to end this hate — with the goal of making our community’s and our country’s future better and safer for all.”

At the candlelight vigil in Dumont this week, Gottheimer was joined by Dumont Councilman Jimmy Chae and his wife Janice, NJ Assemblyman Chris Tully, Demarest Mayor Melinda Iannuzzi, Norwood Councilwoman Annie Hausmann, Bergen County Commissioner Germaine Ortiz, Bergen County Commissioner Tracey Zur, Bergen County Commissioner Mary Amoroso, Bergen County Commissioner Ramon Hacge, Bergen County Clerk John Hogan, Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton, Dumont Mayor Andrew LaBruno, Bergenfield Mayor Arvin Amatorio, Closter Councilwoman Jannie Chung, Rev. Elaine Wing of Calvary United Methodist Church,, and Brian Jon of the Asian American Youth Council.

In Congress, Gottheimer has supported a resolution in the House — led by Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-6) — denouncing the anti-Asian hate that has occurred across the nation since the beginning of COVID. Gottheimer has also helped lead bipartisan efforts to work to pass the NO HATE Act, which has been endorsed by the Problem Solvers Caucus that Gottheimer co-chairs, to strengthen federal law to combat hate speech, threats, and attacks. 

Below: Gottheimer joins members of the North Jersey community at this week’s Stop AAPI Hate candlelight vigil in Dumont.

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