Following the murder 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. After protests in Trenton and Atlantic City grew violent on May 31, curfews were set for the first time. Residents of Atlantic City helped clean up damage after the protests turned destructive.
On June 2, 2020, Attorney General Gurbir Grewal announced expanded utilization of a use-of-force database, proposed a licensing program for law enforcement, and other initiatives.
Demonstrations
Asbury Park Hundreds protested outside the Asbury Park Post Office from 5 pm to 8 pm on June 1. The city announced a curfew starting at 8 pm that same night.
Atlantic City About 100 people protested near Tanger Outlets on May 31. The event began peacefully, but soon turned into "criminal activity" as stores were looted and damaged. A citywide curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. was imposed.
On June 6, hundreds gathered at Atlantic City Hall and marched down Atlantic Avenue.
Barnegat On June 7, approximately 250 protesters marched from Fred Watts Gazebo Park through Barnegat Boulevard and Route 9 to the Little League complex for an event called Barnegat Walk for Peace. Protesters shouted “No Justice, No Peace,” “Black Lives Matter” and “Say His Name. George Floyd!”
Bayonne On June 7, about 1,000 people came together, marched, and kneeled in Stephen R. Gregg Park. The protest also included a celebration of “Black Bayonne,” which included music and poetry from speakers.
Bedminster On June 13, around 100 protesters gathered in support of Black Lives Matter at a major intersection near Trump National Golf Club Bedminster where the President was spending the weekend.
Bernardsville On June 6, more than a thousand marched against racial injustice from Bernards High School through downtown Bernardsville to shut down Route 202 and then to place flowers at the base of the statue of late Congresswoman Millicent Fenwick.
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.”
Brick On June 8, about 300 protesters gathered for a protest near Windward Beach Park.
The Caldwells On June 2, more than 1,500 protesters gathered for a peace rally and marched from Grover Cleveland Park to the gazebo near the Police Station and Municipal Building in West Caldwell. The demonstration was organized by several local teenagers.
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.
Cape May On June 5, Cape May County NAACP hosted a protest at Superior Court, 9 N. Main St, Cape May Court House.
Carteret On June 4, a "Carteret Community Unity Walk for Peace" marched from Carteret Middle School to the Noe Street and Civic Center Parks. The event was ostensibly organized by two college students who later claimed that Mayor Dan Reiman inappropriately claimed credit for the event. Reiman's police officer brother was acquitted of pummeling a black teenager in 2019.
Cherry Hill On June 2, a protest was held at the Cherry Hill Mall.
On June 5, hundreds of people protested by symbolically lying in the street for nearly nine minutes, blocking traffic on Haddonfield Road nearby the Cherry Hill Mall.
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.
Clifton On June 2, over 400 protesters gathered at Clifton Town Hall before marching down Clifton Avenue and Main Avenue to Passaic City Hall.
Clinton On June 4, hundreds of protesters marched through downtown Clinton before gathering for a Black Lives Matter rally at Gebhart Field. Funds were raised for the Innocence Project.
On July 2, hundreds more marched against police brutality along the same route and outside the Hunterdon Art Museum.
Cranford On June 2, a protest occurred in Cranford. An estimated 5,000 people gathered for a peaceful protest at Nomahegan Park.
Denville On June 8, more than 600 demonstrators joined a protest organized by Denville Voices Against Racial Injustice at McCarter Park in downtown Denville.
East Brunswick On June 12, about 200 people protested at the township's municipal center.
Edison Around 200 protesters marched down Oak Tree Road. Organizers spoke at the First Presbyterian Church of Iselin.
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.
Englewood More than 1,000 people rallied in Mackay Park on May 30 before peacefully marching to the Englewood Police Station.
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."
On June 6, around 1,000 protesters marched from the county justice building to the Old Hunterdon County Courthouse.
Florham Park On June 20, about 1,000 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.
Franklin On May 31, hundreds of people protested organized by Melanated Minds of NJ in a march that began and ended at Franklin Middle School at Hamilton Street Campus in Franklin Township, Somerset County. On June 4, more than 500 people marched from Middlebush Park to protest in front of the Franklin Township Police Department.
Franklinville On June 8, about 70 protesters marched in Franklin Township, Gloucester County past a group of counter-protesters with All Lives Matter and Trump signs who mockingly re-enacted George Floyd's murder, 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. Peaceful protesters returned to Franklinville on June 13.
Freehold On May 30, about 35 people displayed signs along a highway in a demonstration called "March on Route 9".
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.
Glassboro On June 19, three hundred Rowan University students, staff and members of the public marched through the university's Glassboro campus on Juneteenth to honor police brutality victims and protest systemic racism and oppression. Demonstrators "took a knee" in silence for eight minutes 46 seconds while George Floyd's final words were recited.
Glen Ridge On May 31, more than 100 protesters assembled together on a lawn on Ridgewood Avenue to protest the murder of George Floyd.
Glen Rock On June 7, approximately 600 people marched from Main Line Station to Borough Hall, where they knelt in silence for eight minutes and forty-six seconds in honor of Floyd.
Hackensack On June 4, hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the Hackensack courthouse.
On June 6, kayakers took part in a worldwide "paddle out"a Hawaiian mourning ritualfor George Floyd and other victims on the Hackensack River.
Hackettstown On June 1, about 50 protesters marched on Main Street between the Municipal Building and the Civil War Memorial. One counter-protester appeared.
Haddonfield On May 31, more than 300 protesters marched along Kings Highway in downtown Haddonfield in protest of police brutality.
Highland Park On June 2, more than 1,000 protesters marched through the borough to the Raritan Bridge and Highland Park High School to hear community leaders speakers.
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.
Hillsborough On June 6, about 250 protesters demonstrated at the intersection of Amwell Road and Route 206, where they knelt in silence for eight minutes and forty-six seconds.
Hillside On June 7, Governor Phil Murphy joined marchers in Hillside to support Black Lives Matter and protest police brutality and racism. Organized by a 16-year-old Westfield High School student, around 2,000 people rallied in Mindowaskin Park.
Hoboken
Protesters 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.
Hopatcong On June 8, over 200 people of all races and ages organized a Black Lives Matter protest at Modick Park in Hopatcong.
Jersey City On June 1, hundreds marched to the South District police precinct in Jersey City 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.
In August, eight artists completed a large "Black Lives Matter" mural that took up an entire city block on Grand Street near a predominantly black area known as "The Junction".
Keansburg On June 2, about 300 protesters gathered at the Keansburg waterfront to march to the police station for Black Lives Matter.
Lakewood On June 6, hundreds of 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.
Lambertville
On June 6, hundreds of Black Lives Matter protesters gathered in Lambertville to march and listen to speeches. The march proceeded up North Union Street to Mary Sheridan Park. After listening to the speeches, the protesters crossed the New Hope–Lambertville Bridge into New Hope, Pennsylvania in order to continue marching on South Main Street.
Little Egg Harbor On June 14, around 100 people marched through the Mystic Island neighborhood in Little Egg Harbor Township. A counter-protester was charged with simple assault after video evidence showed him pushing a woman to the ground.
Livingston On June 1, approximately 125 people gathered at the Livingston Town Center for "a peaceful protest in response to the recent murder of George Floyd, the persistence of police brutality directed at black Americans and the continuous and systemic oppression of black Americans nationally."
Long Beach Island On June 6, hundreds of protesters crossed the bridge from Stafford to LBI carrying signs that read "Black Lives Matter" and "Justice for George Floyd."
Long Branch