Following the recent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, many towns and cities across the country have organized peaceful protests to speak out against police brutality and systemic racism. These protests honor the lives that have been lost and show support for a more equitable system. Here is a list of peaceful protests, demonstrations, rallies and marches happening in New Jersey.
Please note that organizers ask that participants wear face masks and follow social distancing rules.
Saturday, July 18
Newark
This march encourages people to come together to combat black and brown communities not receiving the proper attention and investigation within the prosecutor’s office and the police department. Starts at Peter Francisco Park (66-70 New Jersey Ralidroad Avenue) at 10:30 am
Sunday, June 28
Edison and Iselin
A peaceful rally will be held to demand justice for the death of Maurice Gordon. The rally will begin at noon and take place across the street from Sri Dosa (HMCG+WJ, Iselin).
Hopewell
A protest to demand police accountability will be held at Hopewell Elementary School (35 Princeton Ave.) from 2-4 pm.
Middletown
A march will take place beginning at 3 pm at Middletown High School North (63 Tindall Rd.) and loop around the neighborhood. A rally will follow at around 4:15 pm at the high school and will include guest speakers.
Montclair
A rideout will meet at the Rand Tennis Courts at 2:30 pm and begin at 3 pm. Ride a skateboard, bicycle or anything with wheels. Old skateboards can be donated to a board drive at the event. Participants can stay and help clean up after the rideout ends.
Summit
Student activists and community members are holding a protest beginning at 2 pm at the Village Green (356 Broad St.). There will be a poster making session on June 27 from 6-7 pm at the same location.
Saturday, June 27
Edgewater
The Black Lives Matter Edgewater branch will host a solidarity rally from 1-3 pm. The rally will take place at Veteran’s Field (1057-1165 River Rd.).
Englewood
A march will be held at Mackay Park (Englewood Ave.) at noon to raise awareness about social injustice and violence.
Flemington
Protestors will meet at 2:30 pm at the new Hunterdon County Courthouse (75 Main St.) and march to the old courthouse for an afternoon of speeches and action. In addition to supporting victims of police brutality, event leaders aim to provide resources for tangible change including petitions to be signed, fundraising efforts and calling government leaders. Attendees are asked to wear masks and can also help by providing snacks, water and tables.
A Day of Action will be held at the Hunterdon County Justice Center (65 Park Ave.) from 2:30-5:30 pm. The event will include breakout sessions on various social justice topics.
Hamilton
The march that was postponed due to weather will be held at 10 am. The march will travel from Saint Phillips Baptist Church (445 Parkinson Ave.) to the Hamilton Twp. Police Division Headquarters (1270 Whitehorse Mercerville Rd.).
Marlboro
An educational rally to raise understanding about justice, allyship and anti-racism will be held between 1-4 pm at the Marlboro Recreational Center (1996 Recreation Way).
Millville
Educators for Black Lives Matter will hold a march and rally at 10 am starting at Corson Park (14th and E. Main Streets). The march will last for about an hour and end at the starting point where the rally will host speakers.
Newark
Sisters in Solidarity will hold a rally at Military Park (51 Park Pl.) from 1-3 pm. Expect speeches, a live band, voter registration opportunities and more.
North Brunswick
A March for Black Lives will be held at 11 am and begin at Livingston Ave. and Herman Rd.
Ocean Twp. – Oakhurst
A rally and march will be held with the goal of honoring lives that have been lost and educating community members on racial injustices. The demonstration is scheduled from 2-4 pm and will start at the Joe Palaia Park bandshell (240 Whalepond Rd.) and end at the Ocean Twp. Police Department (399 Monmouth Rd.).
Pennington
A socially-distant protest will take place from 1-3 pm at the intersection of Rte. 31 and West Delaware Ave. Attendees are asked to wear a mask and remain six feet apart.
Rockaway
The Black Lives Matter Morristown chapter is holding a march at 5 pm starting at Friendship Field (57 Wall St.) and ending at Donatoni Park (213 W. Main St.).
Somerville
Stage Stars Productions is hosting a “Peaceful Protest Through the Arts” from 1-3 pm at the Somerville Courthouse. This is a family-friendly event filled with speakers, musicians, dancers and more.
Westfield
A solidarity protest will be held at the North Ave. train station (104 North Ave.). Residents can also drive by and honk to show support.
Woodcliff Lake
A march will travel between the Woodcliff Lake Town Hall (188 Pascack Rd.) and the Woodcliff Lake train station (Woodcliff Ave.) at 10 am.
Sunday, June 21
Hamilton
A Father’s Day Unity March and Peaceful Protest will be held at noon. The march will begin at Saint Phillips Baptist Church (445 Parkinson Ave.) and proceed to the Hamilton Twp. Police Division Headquarters (1270 Whitehorse Mercerville Rd.). Protestors are asked to dress in black and are encouraged to bring positive signs.
Saturday, June 20
Lyndhurst
A protest will take place at Lyndhurst Town Hall (367 Valley Brook Ave.) at 11 am.
Mahwah
The Mahwah Alliance for Change will hold a rally in support of the Black Lives Matter Movement from 11 am-1 pm at Commodore Perry Field (70 E. Ramapo Ave.).
Monmouth Junction and South Brunswick
A march will be held at 5 pm beginning at Crossroads South Middle School (195 Major Rd.) and ending at the South Brunswick Police Department (540 Ridge Rd.).
Piscataway
A protest will be held at the New Market Pond Gazebo (450 New Market Rd.) starting at 2 pm.
Springfield
A unity rally and march will begin at 11:30 am from Florence M. Gaudineer (75 S. Springfield Ave.) and conclude at Springfield Town Hall (100 Mountain Ave.).
Friday, June 19
June 19 commemorates Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when the final slaves in Texas received news of the Emancipation Proclamation, which was signed two years earlier. Many protests this Friday are dedicated to celebrating this day. While not yet recognized as a federal holiday, 46 states mark the day as either a holiday or observance.
Boonton
A march and rally will begin at Grace Lord Park at 5 pm. The march will then proceed to Boonton High School (306 Lathrop Ave.). Protestors are asked to dress in red, black and green. The organizers request that Boonton residents walk to Grace Lord Park to save parking for out-of-town participants.
Galloway at Stockton University
Stockton University’s branch of the NAACP is holding a Juneteenth March for Justice at 1 pm on Stockton’s main campus. Protestors can assemble in front of the Campus Center (101 Vera King Farris Dr.) and park in lot 5.
Glassboro at Rowan University
Rowan University’s Black Student Union is holding a protest and march beginning at 11 am. The protest will meet at the Glassboro Town Square (1 High St.) and continue to the University Green outside of Bunce Hall (located on Bunce Circle). The event is rain or shine.
Holmdel
The Holmdel Community United Church of Christ is holding a rally outside of the church (40 Main St.) between 5:30-6:30 pm.
Jersey City
A march will begin at 2 pm at the Mary McLeod Bethune Life Center (140 Martin Luther King Dr.) and conclude at the public safety complex (Martin Luther King Dr. and Kearney Ave.).
Manalapan and Englishtown
A march between the Manalapan Police Department (120 Country Rd. 522) and the Englishtown Police Department (15 Main Street) will begin at 6 pm.
Neptune City and Asbury Park
A Unity Walk and Rally will be held in celebration of Juneteenth. The walk will begin at Midtown Commons Park in Neptune City (1825 W. Lake Ave.) and end at the rally location at Springwood Park in Asbury Park (126 Atkins Ave.). The march begins at 1 pm and the rally is expected to end at 5 pm.
Pine Hill
The organization South Jersey Youth for Change will hold a rally from 1-4 pm. The rally will take place at Joey Green Field (919 Hickstown Rd.).
Somerville
A protest and march will meet at the Somerset County Courthouse (20 N. Bridge St.) and continue down Bridge St. Protestors will kneel for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, in honor of George Floyd, before marching back to the courthouse.
Teaneck
A countywide protest will gather at 12:15 pm at the Teaneck High School track (100 Elizabeth Ave.). At 12:30 a march will move around the surrounding area and conclude at the Teaneck Public Library (840 Teaneck Rd.).
Monday, June 15
South Orange and Maplewood
The Teachers for Black Lives Rally and March is organized by South Orange and Maplewood teachers and is open for all educators, parents, students and community members. The march will begin at 4 pm at Grove Park (South Orange) and continue to Memorial Park (Maplewood). The rally will take place at Memorial Park around 4:45 pm. For more information email mapsoteachersforblacklives@gmail.com.
Sunday, June 14
Cranbury
The Coalition for Peace Action and the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice will co-host a candlelight vigil for George Floyd and victims of police brutality at 7:30 pm at Cranbury Heritage Park (57 South Main St.). Candles will be provided, but donations are encouraged and all proceeds will go to Black Lives Matter. Attendees must wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines.
Elmwood Park
This protest will be held at noon in the Acme parking lot (74 Mayhill St.) Follow @EPforBlackLives on Instagram for more information.
Little Egg Harbor
A locally organized protest is scheduled for 10:30 am for the Little Egg Harbor and Tuckerton communities. The location is TBA. Follow the Facebook event for updates.
Roselle
United: A Peaceful Rally for Justice is hosted by the Union County Interfaith Coordinating Council. The event will take place at Warinanco Park with a 1 pm gathering followed by a program at 2 pm and a walk at 3 pm.
Saturday, June 13
Buena
A march will begin outside of Dr. JP Cleary School (1501 Central Ave.) at 1 pm. It will conclude at Bruno Melini Park (616 Central Ave.)
Florham Park and Madison
A march led by youth from Florham Park and Madison will begin at 5 pm. The march will leave from Madison High School (170 Ridgedale Ave.) and lead to the Florham Park Gazebo (111 Ridgedale Ave.).
Franklinville
A march will take place at 11 am starting at the Franklinville Public Library (1584 Coles Mill Rd.) and will proceed to the Veterans of Foriegn Wars building (2179 Delsea Dr.).
Gloucester Twp.
A march to the Gloucester Twp. police station will leave at 1 pm from Gloucester Twp. Community Park (Turnerville Hickstown Rd.).
Hopewell Twp.
A rally for police accountability will be held at 1 pm in the parking lot of the Hopewell Twp. municipal office (201 Washington Crossing-Pennington Rd.).
Metuchen
A second rally for social justice will be held at Martin Luther King Park (480 Middlesex Ave.) at 3 pm. The rally is organized by multiple organizations including Metuchen’s Human Rights Commission, the Metuchen-Edison branch of the NAACP, Metuchen High School for Black Lives Matter and Speak Up NJ.
Mount Holly
The Mount Holly Solidarity March and Protest will meet in the parking lot behind the Mount Holly police station (1 Park Dr.) at 2 pm. The march will follow the blocks around the police station and end in front of the police station where protestors will kneel in solidarity.
Newark
The NJ branches of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the ICNA Council for Social Justice, the Council of Imams and the Muslim American Society are collaborating to host a rally. It’ll begin at 2 pm in front of Newark City Hall (920 Broad St.).
Orange
A rally for justice will be held at Bell Stadium (49 Bell St.) between 1 and 6 pm.
Princeton
A social justice rally will start at 2 pm at Community South Park (380 Witherspoon St.). The rally is looking for volunteers to help set up and speakers for the event. Email katrell.shariese@gmail.com or call 609-375-7884 to volunteer.
Somerville
This protest will take place outside of the Somerset County Courthouse (20 N. Bridge St.) at 4 pm. Speakers will be present to discuss systemic racism and ways to promote equality.
Verona
This rally for justice will honor the lives that have been lost to police brutality. It’ll take place between 1 and 2 pm at Verona Park (Porcello Ln.).
West Milford
A protest supporting the Black Lives Matter movement will be held at 3 pm in front of the West Milford Town Hall (1480 Union Valley Rd.).
Friday, June 12
Asbury Park
This rally is in honor of black lives, and especially those who are LGBTQ+. It’ll be held from 5-8 pm on the Asbury Park Post Office steps (801 Bangs Ave.).
East Brunswick
Students from East Brunswick High School will lead a peaceful protest at the municipal building (1 Jean Walling Civic Center) at 2 pm. Attendees are asked to wear masks and gloves and practice social distance. Signs are encouraged.
Little Falls, Totowa and Woodland Park
This march will leave from the Totowa police department (537 Totowa Rd.) at 5:30 pm and proceed to the Woodland Park police department (5 Brophy Ln.) and finish at the Little Falls police department (225 Main St.).
Wall Township
A peaceful protest will be held at the Wall Township Municipal Complex at 3 pm in support of the victims of police brutality. Free masks, gloves and water will be available.
Wednesday, June 10
East Orange
At 1 pm, Mayor Ted R. Green and the East Orange City Council will host the “Peace, But Not Patience” Walk and Rally. Attendees are asked to meet at noon at the Sussex Avenue Mall and then walk to the rally at the East Orange City Hall. There will be zero tolerance for disruptive actions and all should wear masks.
Eatontown
From 5-8 pm, protestors will meet at Wampum Memorial Park (35 West St.) and march up Rte. 35 to the back of the police station. No destructive behavior will be tolerated. Wear a mask and please social distance.
Hamilton
A peaceful protest will take place at 5 pm at the Sayen House and Gardens (155 Huges Dr.). A limited supply of masks will be available.
Pennsauken
At 6:30 pm, the Pennsauken community will host a march from the World Harvest Christian Center (7201 Westfield Ave.) to the community recreation center. The demonstration will also include a candlelight vigil.
Ridgewood
The MLK Committee of Ridgewood and Green Rock and The Community Peace and Justice Forum will be hosting an evening of solidarity from 4-6 pm. The event will be held in the YMCA parking lot (112 Oak St.) Masks are mandatory and distance is encouraged.
Tenafly
Protestors will march from Walter Stillman School (75 Tenafly Rd.) to Huyler Park at 5:30 pm. Attendees are asked to wear masks and practice social distancing.
Tuesday, June 9
Jersey City
The Jersey City Anti-Violence Coalition will host a protest against police brutality from 4-6 pm outside City Hall (280 Grove St.).
Paramus
Demonstrators will meet at the Paramus High School parking lot (99 E. Century Rd.) at 4 pm for a march and rally.
Sussex
At 1 pm, protestors will meet outside the Sussex Borough Town Hall. No attendees will be admitted without a face mask.
Monday, June 8
Brick
Speakers will share their words on the grass field at Windward Beach Park (265 Princeton Ave.) at 3 pm. A march will follow after, down Princeton Ave., and eventually circling back to the park. Please wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines.
Collingswood
Join Collingswood community members at 4 pm outside of Krispy Kreme (1170 Haddon Ave.) as they honor those who have lost their lives to police brutality. At 5 pm, the group will march with unity speakers from the corner of Haddon and Collins Ave. to Knight Park. Attendees are asked to respect all social distancing guidelines and are reminded to remain respectful.
Newark
From 3-6 pm, the People’s Organization for Progress resumes their “Justice Mondays” protests. The group will meet at 970 Broad St. for an in-place protest. All are asked to follow social distancing guidelines.
Sunday, June 7
Berkeley Heights
Starting at the new YMCA in Berkeley Heights at noon, the march will continue for 2.1 miles to Memorial Field to listen to speakers and kneel for 8 minutes and 46 seconds to honor George Floyd. Please abide by social distancing rules, wear a mask and bring hand sanitizer and posters.
Galloway
The Young Activists of Atlantic County are holding a protest and march, which will include a moment of silence at 2 pm starting from the Galloway Police Department (300 East Jimmie Leeds Rd.). Click here for information on parking and what to bring.
Jackson
A protest against racism and police brutality will be held at Johnson Park (260 Kierych Memorial Dr.) at 4 pm.
Mount Olive
This protest was originally scheduled to take place in Chester but has been moved to Turkey Brook Park in Mount Olive (30 Flanders Rd., Budd Lake). The protest will be held at 3 pm and a vigil will take place at 8 pm. Update: The planned protest in Mount Olive has been canceled. Similar events in Morristown and Chatham slated for the weekend were also canceled.
Newark
This march, for black queer lives, begins at Ivy Hill Park and continues down South Orange Ave. for a rally at South Orange Village Center. Gather at 1:45 pm for the march at 2 pm. Please wear a mask or face covering, bring posters and practice social distancing.
Nutley
A march down Franklin Ave. is scheduled for 11:30 am. Participants are asked to meet at Yanticaw Park’s Frank Cocchiola Playground at 11:15 am (located on Passaic Ave.).
Robbinsville Township
A Night of Unity has been organized by Robbinsville Township leaders alongside local faith leaders. It’s scheduled to begin at 6 pm at the Town Center Gazebo.
Somerville
Join this peaceful protest at the Somerville Court House (18 E. Main St.) at 3:30 pm in support of Black Lives Matter. Don’t forget to bring water, posters, markers and wear your masks. Remember to stay in crosswalks.
Woodbury Heights
At 1:30 pm, the A Time for Justice demonstration and march will begin at the playground near Glen Lake (Lake Ave.) and proceed through Woodbury Heights to Veteran’s Park (Elm St.). At Veteran’s Park, a moment of silence will be held. Participants are asked to arrive at the Glen Lake playground at 1 pm.
Saturday, June 6
Jersey City
McNair Academic High School’s Black Diaspora club has organized a Rally to End Police Brutality scheduled from 4-9 pm in front of City Hall (280 Grove St.).
Lakewood
A march is scheduled to begin from the parking lot at 9th and Clifton Avenues (formerly a Little League field) at 1 pm and proceed to the Lakewood Town Hall. The march is expected to conclude at 3 pm.
Long Beach Island
The Long Beach Island Walk for Black Lives Matter is scheduled to begin at 10 am on the west side of the Causeway Bridge and will move towards Stafford.
Maplewood
The Soma Family Protest will gather for Black Lives Matter and to fight racism and hate at 4:30 pm at the pavilion at Maplecrest Park. Please wear masks and adhere to social distancing rules.
Newton
Organized by town residents, a rally will take place at 11 am on the Newton Green. For more information, contact Kyle Morel on Facebook, Twitter, or by calling 973-383-1292.
North Plainfield
This Black Lives Matter protest against police brutality is gathering at Somerset St. between Somerset School and the North Plainfield Police Department at 2 pm.
Phillipsburg
Walk With Us is scheduled for noon starting at Shappell Park, with a Sunday rain date. You can find more details on the event’s Facebook page.
Somerville
Join this peaceful protest at the Somerville Court House (18 E. Main St.) at 5 pm in support of Black Lives Matter. Don’t forget to bring water, posters, markers and wear your masks. Remember to stay in crosswalks.
South River
A protest and march, which will be accompanied by a police escort, will be held in front of the South River Police Department (61 Main St.) at 3pm.
Vernon
Vernon Protests Against Racism will be held from 11 am-2 pm at the intersection of Main St. and Rte. 94.
Friday, June 5
Hoboken
This protest is hosted by the newly created organization Allies4Justice and will take place from 1-4 pm at Maxwell Place Park (1 11th Sinatra Dr. North).
Maplewood
This vigil, Remembering Breonna Taylor, will celebrate what would have been Breonna’s 27th birthday at Memorial Park (580 Valley St.) from 6-7 pm. This will be a socially distanced event with ground markers so parties can stand where indicated.
Somerville
Join this peaceful protest at the Somerville Court House (18 E. Main St.) at 1 pm in support of Black Lives Matter. Don’t forget to bring water, posters, markers and wear your masks. Remember to stay in crosswalks.
Teaneck
A march organized by Teaneck High School graduates and residents is scheduled for noon. It will begin at Teaneck Rd. and Intervale, proceeding down Teaneck Rd. and onto Cedar Ln. and will conclude in Hackensack. Township officials along with members of the police and fire departments will join the community in the march.
Do you know of any other peaceful protests happening in NJ? Let us know in the comments below, or email megan@njfamily.com.
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