Code Red in Newark: ICE agents pepperspray US Senator Andy Kim

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Just before getting peppersprayed, Senator Andy Kim tried to de-escalate the confrontation.

This incident is ridiculous. ICE agents pepper-sprayed a US Senator. The incident with New Jersey's Korean American Sen. Andy Kim demonstrates, once again, the need to rein in Donald Trump's out-of-control army.

The thin veneer of constitutional governance didn't just crack outside Newark’s Delaney Hall—it was blasted apart by a cloud of federal-grade pepper spray.
When Kim was filmed on Monday clutching an ice pack while street medics frantically flushed chemical irritants from his eyes, the imagery captured something far deeper than a chaotic protest. It gave a visceral face to a raging constitutional crisis: a rogue executive branch physically assaulting the very lawmakers empowered to oversee it.

"My eyes were hurting, my throat was burning," Kim said afterwards.

The clash

The powder keg ignited over a hunger strike inside the privately run, 1,000-bed immigration warehouse. Roughly 300 detainees are currently risking starvation to protest what advocates call "inhumane" living conditions, including acute medical neglect.

When Kim, Governor Mikie Sherrill, and other New Jersey Democrats showed up for a critical oversight visit, they were met with immediate stonewalling. Sherrill was completely blocked at the gate. Senator Kim only forced his way inside after making a direct, high-stakes phone call to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin.

But the true ugly underbelly of federal enforcement was waiting for Kim when he stepped back outside.

Faced with a tense standoff between an armored ICE vehicle, heavily weaponized agents, and a human chain of peaceful demonstrators, Kim did what a leader is supposed to do: he stepped into the gap. Putting his hands up in a universal "stop" motion, the Korean American senator tried to broker a de-escalation.

The federal response? In an interview with CNN''s Jake Tapper, Kim said:

US Sen. Andy Kim had his eyes flushed out after
getting pepperspreayed by ICE agents.

"So I tried my best to get between the ICE agents and the crowd as the ICE convoy decided to just go ahead and plow through the crowd, which was just absolutely so dangerous of an action that they were doing. So I remember the pepper balls starting to get shot towards my feet and past me. I did not get hit directly by a pepper ball, but certainly between the pepper balls and then the pepper spray that was happening, I’d certainly had an irritation and burning sensation in my eyes and my throat.

"But more broadly, this was something that was avoidable. We were trying to find a way to be able to move forward that wasn’t gonna escalate in this way. But ICE decided that they just had enough and they were gonna just move ahead. And I just thought that was an incredibly dangerous action for them to do. And that continued problems, that continued threat of violence and escalation continues today. Tomorrow, I mean, ... we’re seeing just a heightened level of danger right now in New Jersey."

Lawless enforcers

Let’s cut through the Department of Homeland Security’s spin, which quickly dismissed the oversight visit as a "political stunt."

The law is unequivocal. Under Section 527 of the DHS Appropriations Act, no taxpayer funds may be used to block a Member of Congress from entering or inspecting an immigration detention facility. Period. Full stop. Federal courts reaffirmed this exact mandate earlier this year in Neguse v. Noem, ruling that the executive branch lacks the authority to gatekeep congressional oversight.

ICE’s defense rests on an unconstitutional house of cards—specifically, an agency-invented rule requiring a seven-day advance notice for visits. But a federal agency’s internal memo cannot override statutory federal law.

Furthermore, under standard DHS Use of Force Directives, federal agents are legally restricted to using force that is "objectively reasonable." Deploying chemical weapons against a visible, compliant federal lawmaker attempting to peacefully negotiate a crowd clearance violates the core tenets of acceptable law enforcement behavior.

Kim to take action

Can these agents be disciplined? On paper, absolutely. The DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) and ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) possess the clear authority to suspend, terminate, or recommend criminal assault charges against the officers involved.

But in the Trump regime, "can" and "will" are miles apart. With a DHS leadership that treats congressional oversight like an enemy insurgency, internal investigators will face immense institutional pressure to sweep this under the rug as standard "crowd control."

Kim hasn't signaled an intent to file personal charges or lawsuits. He knows the battlefield is systemic. Instead of getting bogged down in an uphill legal battle against qualified immunity, Kim is taking the fight back to Washington, demanding the permanent shutdown of Delaney Hall and drafting legislation to cut off the administration's ability to buy up more corporate detention warehouses.

When federal law enforcement agents feel entitled to pepper-spray the lawmakers who hold the purse strings, the balance of power is no longer just threatened. It's on fire.

“What we saw here is unfortunately just what we see all over the country,” Kim told NJ.com. “It’s sad, it’s a sad day.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. If you find this perspective interesting, please repost.

Man sentenced to four years behind bars for burglarizing Asian homeowners in New Jersey

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A New Jersey, man was sentenced Aug. 15 to 50 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy that targeted local Asian and Asian American residents burglarizing them at their homes, said US Attorney Philip R. Sellinger at a media conference.

Randi Barr, 42, of Vauxhall, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before US District Judge Evelyn Padin to charges against him with one count of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property. Judge Padin imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From Dec. 2, 2016, to March 20, 2019, Barr and others participated in a conspiracy to burglarize the residences of certain Asian small business owners living in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware of large sums of money, valuable jewelry, and other items, and then transport the stolen goods in interstate commerce, including to Barr’s residences in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

In one instance in 2019, $500,000 in cash was taken from a single home in Eatontown, N.J., officials said.

Seven others were charged in the case along with Barr in 2021 — Rabine Armour, of Easton, Pennsylvania, Kevin Burton, of Newark, Kevin Jackson, of Rahway, Thomas Rodgers, of Newark, James Hurt, of Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania, Sherman Glasco of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and Terrance Black, of Irvington. All of the defendants were charged with a single count of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Padin ordered restitution and forfeiture of $127,661.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow me at Threads.net/eduardodiok, @DioknoEd on Twitter or at the blog Views From the Edge.

New Jersey joins list of states honoring civil rights hero Fred Korematsu

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A true civil rights icon who refused to accept an injustice was honored today as New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy today signed a joint resolution (AJR98) designating January 30 of each year as Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution in New Jersey.

The day of recognition honors the legacy of Fred Korematsu, an American civil rights activist of Japanese heritage who fought against the wrongful incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.

“In setting aside a day permanently recognizing the contributions of Fred Korematsu, we are recommitting ourselves to our nation’s ideal of protecting civil liberties,” said Murphy. “While we can never rectify the injustices woven into the fabric of our nation’s history, we can ensure that the stories of those who fought against injustice are never forgotten. History must be our guide for creating a better tomorrow. I am honored to sign this resolution and to put New Jersey firmly, and forever, on the side of Fred Korematsu and all who keep his legacy alive.”

“AAPI stories often go unknown, unrecognized, and can slip through the cracks of history into the forgotten. New Jersey is doing a great thing by honoring Fred Korematsu and his courageous activism for civil rights – not only to celebrate his service and perseverance, but for recognizing a true AAPI civil rights champion,” said New Jersey Congressmember Andy Kim.

“Fred always stood for what was right and offered his life and story to combat discriminatory policies and xenophobia in our country. May ‘Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution’ be a lasting recognition of his impact and the many contributions of the AAPI community to our nation’s story,” Kim said.

New Jersey is the 11th state to establish Jan. 30 honoring Korematsu since New York first established the day in 2008.

“With the increasing need for mutual understanding among different communities, it is more important than ever to remember, recognize, and honor Fred Korematsu’s legacy of civil rights and liberties,” said Ambassador Mikio Mori, Consul General of Japan in New York. “His legacy continues to inspire people of all backgrounds and demonstrates the importance of speaking up to fight injustice. Let us remember and celebrate this day to learn from history and commit to never letting hatred and racism dictate our actions again.”

““This demonstrates how one person’s brave stance can change the lives of many others. Let us always remember and honor the memory of my father so that honor and justice will shine forever,” said Dr. Karen Korematsu, daughter of Fred Korematsu and Founder and Executive Director, Fred T. Korematsu Institute.

Fred T. Korematsu was an American civil rights activist. In 1942, at the age of 23, he refused to go to the government’s incarceration camps for Japanese Americans. After he was arrested and convicted of defying the government’s order, he appealed his case all the way to the United States Supreme Court. In 1944, a divided Supreme Court ruled against him, arguing that the incarceration was justified due to military necessity.

In 1983, with new evidence, a pro-bono legal team re-opened Korematsu’s 40-year-old case on the basis of government misconduct. On November 10, 1983, Korematsu’s conviction was overturned in a federal court in San Francisco. In 1998, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, from President Bill Clinton. And in 2018, the Supreme Court formally repudiated its 1944 decision, which today is widely regarded as one of the most unjust decisions in the history of the Court.

GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy declares Jan. 30 Fred Korematsu Day

Primary sponsors of the legislation include Senator Joseph Lagana, and Assemblymembers Raj Mukerji, Anthony Verrelli, and Brandon Umba.

“Today, Jan. 30, 2023, is a great day for State of NJ—it is a great day for HUMAN KIND!” said Takeshi Furumoto, internment camp survivor and human right activist. “To not only recognize the wrongs of the past, but by recognizing this through legislation, vows to not repeat it. As a survivor, by testifying and passing this bill, and getting unanimous vote of approval by the State Senate and Assembly, gives me a hope for future of America!”

“I grew up in Maywood and attended Hackensack High School several decades ago. But despite an otherwise excellent education, I was never taught about the internment camps where Japanese Americans like my mom, Fred Korematsu, and 120,000 others were detained. Fred Korematsu had the courage to stand up to the country that he loved and challenge it to be better.,"said Phil Tajitsu Nash, board co-president of the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF).

“We applaud New Jersey for recognizing Fred Korematsu Day. This recognition is about understanding how vitally important, but also how fragile our rights as Americans can be,” stated David Inoue, Executive Director for the Japanese American Citizens League. 

“At a time when there are threats to a woman’s right to health care and other states are proposing to reinstitute Alien Land Laws," Inoue continued, "it is important that we remember Fred Korematsu and the stand he took against the racist incarceration of Japanese Americans and that despite him fighting in the courts, the Supreme Court ultimately denied his rights as an American.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow @DioknoEd on Twitter.

NJ Asian American advocates call for more detailed demographic data to improve public policy

RUTGERS

AANHPI students at Rutgers University in New Jersey.

A bill, AB 3092, requiring disaggregating data collected by the state of New Jersey in order to better serve the diverse Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities passed the New Jersey Assembly Wednesday by a vote of 71-2 with 4 abstentions, 

Below an article written before the vote is reprinted from the New Jersey Monitor.

By Dana Difilippo
REPRINTED FROM THE NEW JERSEY MONITOR

From doctor’s offices to new employers, people filling out forms are given usually just a few choices to define their race and ethnicity — white, Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian or sometimes just “other.”

In New Jersey, where Asians are the fastest-growing racial demographic and comprise 11% of the population, the catch-all categories of Asian and “other” can be frustrating.

“Our countries of origin span over 50 countries that speak hundreds of languages, with as many cultures,” said Laura Zhang Choi of advocacy group Make Us Visible New Jersey.

And for policymakers, such a broad category can result in bad policies that exclude or hurt the populations they’re meant to serve.

Several state lawmakers aim to right that oversight. They introduced legislation this year that would require state agencies to widen the demographic data they collect on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to include Asian, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian and Indian diaspora residents.

The bill, which the Assembly’s state and local government committee advanced unanimously last week, is set for a full Assembly vote Wednesday. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a similar bill into law in December.

“The principle behind this is that good policy comes from good data,” said Assemblywoman Sadaf Jaffer (D-Somerset), a prime sponsor of the bill.

As communities become more diverse, breaking demographics into smaller, more specific categories — called data disaggregation — helps uncover trends and inequities in those groups, Jaffer said.

Such information, then, can help community leaders better target services and solutions to erase those disparities, said Assemblyman Raj Mukherji (D-Hudson), another sponsor. Mukherji said it’s unfair to “homogenize folks from an entire continent.”

(Photo courtesy of Laura Choi)

Laura Zhang Choi of Make Us Visible NJ rallies at the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice’s Immigrant Heritage Day of Action on June 22, 2022, at the Statehouse in Trenton. 

“And it puts certain subgroups at risk of being underserved. When you’re serving such diverse immigrant and ethnic communities, it’s important to break down the regional categorization so that you don’t make any one group invisible when you’re trying to figure out how to make government work for them,” he said.

People from different demographics can have vastly different experiences in everything from education to health care to financial stability, and those experiences should shape services and policies for those communities, said Assemblyman Sterley Stanley (D-Middlesex), another sponsor.

South Asians have higher risks of cardiovascular diseases than the general population and consequently have different health needs, Stanley said. Taiwanese Americans have far higher rates of educational attainment than people from Bhutan, where ethnic tensions created a refugee crisis, Choi said.

“Ensuring equity through data representation means we can get a better understanding of the health and socioeconomic needs of our Asian populations,” Stanley said.

New Jersey will require public schools K-12 to teach AAPI history

New Jersey students will learn more about AAPI history and contributions to the U.S.

From the first Filipino to set foot in what is now California to Vice President Kamala Harris, students in New Jersey will be required to learn  Asian American history and culture after new laws were signed by Gov. Phil Murphy.

Murphy signed legislation Tuesday that will ensure that the contributions, history, and heritage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) are included in the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Social Studies for students in kindergarten through Grade 12.

“The members of our Asian American/Pacific Islander community have contributed so much to our state and nation,” said Murphy. “By teaching students about the history and heritage of our AAPI community, we can ensure that the diversity of our state is reflected in our curriculum and create a more tolerant and knowledgeable future for New Jersey.”

S4021 will create an AAPI curriculum requirement for schools and S3764 will establish the Commission for Asian American Heritage within the Department of Education.

“By incorporating instruction on the history and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, New Jersey schools can provide a curriculum that reflects the diversity of our state,” said Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan, Acting Commissioner of Education. “In addition, the establishment of the Commission on Asian American Heritage will serve as an invaluable resource to enhance classroom instruction throughout the state.”

New Jersey joins Illinois, which passed similar legislation last July, believing that learning abut Asian American history will reduce the racist attacks against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who are often viewed as perpetual foreigners and "others." 

Several other states -- Ohio, New York, Florida and Connecticut -- are considering similar mandates to include AAPI history in their public schools. California already passed a measure requiring high school students have a semester of ethnic studies that includes AAPI history in order to graduate.

Anti-Asian attacks have occurred throughout the U.S.'s history but have increased alarmingly since the pandemic began. Many believe that the anti-China rhetoric that was used by the Donald Trump administration helped unleash the racist beliefs held by ignorant white supremacists.

Since the pandemic began, thousands of anti-racist attacks have occurred throughout the nation, according to Stop AAPI Hate, a community-based organization that has been collecting reports of the racist incidents. 

The most recent incident was last Saturday when a man pushed an Asian American woman onto the New York subway tracks as a train was approaching. The victim, Michelle Go, 40, was killed and the suspect later turned himself in to police which is investigating the incident as a hate crime even though authorities say there is no evidence that Go was attacked because of her race.

NYPD data reports that anti-Asian attacks have increased 361% in 2021.

New Jersey is one of several states around the country mandating curriculum as a way to fight anti-Asian hate and increase cultural sensitivity. In July, Illinois became the first state to require schools to teach Asian American history.

More than 1 million people New Jersey resident identify as Asian, according to the 2020 census. The state's Asian American population grew faster in the past decade than any other large ethnic or racial group, increasing 44% since 2010, census figures show.

“All children deserve to know they belong. All children deserve to feel safe, said aid Dr. Kani Ilangovan of Make Us Visible NJ, one of the community groups advocating for the legislation. "This law will help ensure Asian Americans are represented in our great American story. ... With the rise of anti-Asian violence, education is the best antidote to hate.”

“In my classroom, I teach students that the American dream is an aspiration. For Asian Americans, aspiring to the American dream is difficult when our stories are lost or ignored,” said newly installed Assembly member Sadaf Jaffer, who teaches South Asian Studies at Princeton University.

“Knowledge is a powerful tool to heal our social fabric, and I’m proud of New Jersey for taking this important step to build a stronger and more inclusive future.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AAPI perspective, follow me on Twitter @DioknoEd.

NJ schools on the cusp of establishing Asian American and Pacific Islander curriculum

New Jersey is the latest state to consider including Asian American and Pacific Islander history lessons in the classroom.

With strong lobbying by the state's Asian Americans, both houses of the New Jersey legislature have passed a bill mandating that Asian American history be included in school curricula. Gov. Phil Murphy is expected to sign the bill into law very soon.

“I remember growing up, I did not see in my education the history of Indian Americans or a lot of Asian Americans. And we’ve made these improvements as it relates to Black Americans, Latino Americans, LGBTQ. I think it would be appropriate to do for AAPI also,” said state Sen. Vin Gopal (D-11), the Senate bill’s primary sponsor. “And I think it helps when kids are growing up, they can see in their textbooks, people that look like them, and it helps them on their own story.”

“What I didn’t learn was about people who look like me, those who were from the AAPI community that have had significant contributions to our great country we live in today,” Gopal said. “I am proud to sponsor legislation that can help kids who look like me know that they can be anything.”

Assemblyman Raj Mukherj, who led push for the bill in in the Assembly, emphasized the importance of the bill following the increase of anti-Asian hate since the start of the pandemic.

“Hate comes from a place of ignorance, and if we can educate our young people about the Asian American immigrant experience, about our history, we will not only be teaching them, but we will be building empathy,” Mukherji said.

New Jersey’s Asian population grew faster than any other large ethnic or racial group, according to figures released by the Census Bureau.

New Jersey's AAPI population exploded by 44% according to the U.S. Census. About 1.05 million New Jersey residents, or about 11% of the state, identified as Asian, either whole or in part. In 2010, only 725,726 identified as Asian in.

Kani Ilangovan, the Indian American founder of AAPI education advocacy group Make Us Visible New Jersey, which lobbied for the education measure, said the bill affirms a sense of belonging in the U.S.

“It’s very sad, but during the pandemic, there’s been a huge rise in anti-Asian violence, and we feel education is the best antidote to hate,” he said.

Illinois mandated the inclusion of Asian American history in K-12 grades earlier this year. California also passed a measure this year for an ethnic studies requirement  for graduation that will go into effect for the class off 2030.

New Jersey's community advocates believe that the education is key to remove the onus of the "perpetual foreigner" from Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

That point was driven home in November when four Asian American teenagers were beaten on a light-rail train. A bystander, an older Asian American teen, who tried to intervene was also beaten and had to be hospitalized.

Murphy has to sign the bill into law before the current legislative session ends Jan. 10, 2022. The Governor's office does not comment on pending legislation, however, in the past, he has shown his support for the AAPI community during the current epidemic of hate directed at them. On Nov. 10, he created the Asian American Pacific Islander Commission to address the needs of the AAPI community and the hate they are encountering, especially since the start of the pandemic.

“As the fastest growing ethnic group, our Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community is a key part of the great diversity in our State,” said Murphy in a statement. “While we celebrate the important contributions they make to our society and economy, we also recognize the challenges they encounter to access economic resources and opportunities. With today’s bill signing, this newly created commission will represent this diverse population and ensure to advocate on behalf of AAPI throughout New Jersey.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and reviews from an AAPI perspective, follow me on Twitter @DioknoEd

Police chief leaves his office after racist and sexist comments

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Fanwood Police Chief Richard Trigo resigns after racist and sexist comments.

ASAM NEWS

The police chief in Fanwood, N.J. stepped down after audio surfaced of him making allegedly racist comments about the state's Attorney General, who is Sikh American, and sexist remarks about former an acting county prosecutor, reports My Central Jersey.

A news release from Acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo said Richard Trigo resigned as the poice chief of Fanwood. N.J., but his attorney said Trigo retired.

According to ABC7, Trigo is allegedly heard calling acting County Prosecutor Park who is Asian American “pretty hot” and says “she got wide ones.”

Park was the first woman and first Asian American to lead the prosecutor’s office.

Trigo also allegedly said about Attorney General Gurbir Grewal “That…guy with the turban? I wanna pull him like a top.”

“Chief Trigo did not resign or quit,” Joshua McMahon, Trigo’s attorney wrote. “Any assertion to the contrary is categorically and demonstrably false. Chief Trigo had previously begun the process to retire on September 1, 2020 and, until that time, elected to take leave to handle a family-related health issue.”

Progressive Indian American challenging conservative Democrat for Congress

Glen Rock Borough Councilmember Arati Kreibich 

A conservative Democratic congressman is being challenged because he has a pro-Donald Trump voting record, says his critics.

Two-term Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Wyckoff) is being challenged by Glen Rock Councilwoman Arati Kreibich, who last month formally announced her bid for the Democratic nomination for Congress in New Jersey’s 5th district.

Like many recent first-time Democratic candidates, the 44-year old Kreibich was inspired to enter politics because of the election of Donald Trump in 2016.

The Indian American neuroscientist won a seat on the Glen Rock borough council in 2017.
Kreibich was born in India and moved to the US with her family at age 11. She became an American citizen at 19.

The  progressive grassroots organization Indivisible 5th has been critical of Gottheimer’s attempt to stake out a moderate record in Congress as chairman of the Problem Solver’s Caucus, had been putting out teasers about candidate for the last two months.

“He’s got one of the most pro-Trump records of any House Democrat in Washington, and when he comes home he refuses to explain his votes, hiding behind his position as a leader of the so-called Problem Solvers Caucus,” said Kreibich, a onetime Gottheimer supporter who says the incumbent Democrat has disappointed her.

Kreibich will be going against the Democratic Party establishment. The congressman already has $5,683,966 cash-on-hand.  NJ Gov. Phil Murphy has already endorsed Gottheimer for re-election.

Kreibich, a mother of two, embraces the progressive agenda including Medicare-for-all, the Green New Deal, free tuition at public colleges and universities, and wants Congress to begin impeachment proceedings against Trump. 

According to the New Jersey Globe, Kreibach opposes Gottheimer’s efforts to roll back regulations she believes protect the nation against a financial crisis, and alleges the incumbent negotiated a backroom deal to provide billions of dollars to Trump to deal with immigration issues.

“When I talk to constituents, the anxiety, the worry that we have been feeling since the recession … that’s not a Democrat or Republican issue, that’s an everyday life issue,” she told the Globe. “We worry about how we’re going to pay for health care. We worry about student debt and our kids’ college tuition.”

A former speechwriter for Bill Clinton, Gottheimer won his seat by defeating a Republican incumbent but since joining Congress, he doesn’t have a leadership position. His main function in Congress, say his critics, is helping Republicans foil progressive initiatives within the Democratic Party.

“The challenges we’re facing feel so big and powerful that it’s tempting to give up, but we can’t look away. We have to fight,” Kreibich said in a post on her website.

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AAPI Vote 2018: Racist flyers pop up against Asian American in New Jersey congressional race

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Congressional candidate Andy Kim, a former Obama White House staffer, on the campaign trail in New Jersey.

ASAM NEWS

A POLITICAL MAILER in New Jersey which uses the chop suey font when referencing an Asian American opponent and uses imagery of fish markets common in Chinatown is being blasted as racist, reports Think Progress.

Democrat Andy Kim is in a tight race against incumbent Republican Tom MacArthur in New Jersey’s 3rd District. Kim is currently two points ahead of MacArthur in the latest polls.

The mailer is captioned “something is real fishy about Andy Kim. It is put out by the New Jersey Republican State Committee.

The New Jersey Globe broke down the ad and said there’s nothing racist about imagery of fish, but concluded the use of the chop suey font is an attempt to connote “orientalness” and resurrect a font that dates back to the yellow peril days of U.S. history.

“Congressional Republicans like Tom MacArthur can’t run on their record, because their only legislative accomplishment is a tax cut for billionaires and big corporations that screwed middle class taxpayers in New Jersey,” Currie said to the Globe. “So they’re left with the kind of racist, dog whistle politics that this mailer demonstrates, trying to make a distinguished public servant like Andy Kim into an ‘other.’”

Republicans charge the attack by Democrats is an attempt to move the conversation away from news stories about Kim lying about his resume.

“False cries of racism are a sign that the Kim campaign is coming unhinged down the stretch. Let’s not forget that Tom MacArthur has two Korean children.”

Racist mailers are nothing new to New Jersey politics. The word “deport” were stamped across photos of school board candidates Jerry Shi & Falguni Patel in Edison, NJ. Both ended up winning.

Anti-Ravi Bhalla mailers in Hoboken included the words “Don’t let TERRORISM” take over our town. Bhalla went on to win the mayoral race.

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New Jersey borough rejects mayor's mother's racist Facebook posts

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Palisades Park Korean Americans protested recent online racist comments.

ASAM NEWS

THE PALISADES PARK Borough Council in New Jersey approved a resolution rejecting racism on July 24, in response to two recent Facebook posts targeting Koreans running for borough office positions, reports NorthJersey.com.

Mayor James Rotundo and Councilman Christopher Chung wrote the resolution; Rotundo’s mother was responsible for one of the racist posts, claiming that Koreans were illegally voting and ruining her son’s chances of being reelected mayor.

“Go to hell PALISADES PARK, let the GD KOREANS have this F’n town,” Lorraine Rotundo wrote in a Facebook post in June. “All of us AMERICANS are so done. I am going to suggest that only English be spoken in our Boro Hall at least while an AMERICAN is still the mayor.”

The post was made during the recount for the primary election, which ended up putting Christopher Chung on the ballot for mayor in November. Anti-bigotry protests have been held in the borough since.

“We need to come out and make a statement on the current climate in Palisades Park since the election,” Rotundo said. “It’s been reported that there are feelings of resentment or racism being mentioned out there. I understand the feeling people have when it’s mentioned.”

“The mayor and council profoundly acknowledges and condemns all racially motivated, discriminatory, or exclusionary hate speech, and deeply regrets the pain or suffering such statements have caused any person,” the resolution states.

In the second incident, Anthony Sambogna, an independent candidate for mayor, accused Chung of making the election about “Korean power” in a Facebook post.

“This is not the year to vote for any Korean candidate,” wrote Sambogna. “None of them have the vision or knowledge to be serving on our town council.”

Sambogna has tried to defend himself by saying his comments weren’t about race, telling the public at Tuesday’s meeting that he hopes to revitalize the business district, which is Korean dominated. “It’s most disturbing to me that two Korean Americans sat idly by on the council doing nothing while the business community is failing,” said Sambogna.

“We must stand up and speak out, regardless of how subtle or overt it is,” said Chung. “It’s not someone else’s problem. It’s our problem. We all have work to do, and for every single person it begins with doing something.”

About 50% of Palisades Park's population of 19,000 is of Korean descent. It has the highest concentration of Korean residents in of any community in the U.S., 

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Father, four daughters killed in crash

From left to right: Audie Trinidad and his daughters Danna, Kaitlyn, Melissa, Allison.

ASAM NEWS

AN IMMIGRANT-HEAVY SUBURB in New Jersey, Teaneck is mourning the loss of a Filipino American father and his four daughters this weekend.

The family was killed on Friday (July 6) while driving through Townsend, Delaware. Their minivan was hit head-on by a truck driving the wrong way. The mother, Mary Rose Trinidad is the family’s sole survivor, and is still in the hospital recovering from serious injuries.

Teaneck locals held a church service and vigil for the family on Saturday.

According to ABC7 News, it was “a tragedy so unspeakable, it feels like drowning in a sea of sorrow.”

Audie Trinidad, a postal worker, was killed along with his four daughters: Kaitlyn, 20, Danna, 17 and twins Melissa and Allison, 14.

NorthJersey.com reported today that Audie Trinidad has a “quintessential American tale.” His namesake is a World War II infantryman, Audie Murphy, who won 28 combat medals for heroism before he turned 21.

After immigrating from the Philippines in 1987, Trinidad enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served for seven years. Eventually, he was granted a permanent visa and his brother and parents joined him in the United States.

The 44-year-old truck driver from Maryland was reported with minor injuries and released from the hospital. Whether the family will press charges is unclear.

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Hoboken's first Sikh mayor takes office

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Friends, family, freinds and city staff applaud the new mayor of Hoboken, N.J., Ravinder Bhalla.

ASAM NEWS

RAVINDER BHALLA became New Jersey’s first Sikh mayor after a swearing in ceremony Monday, reports NJ.com.
His stunning election victory came just days after anonymous racist flyers were distributed branding him as a terrorist.

“What a long way we’ve come,” he said in his inaugural address. “This past election was a model of diversity showcasing for New Jersey and America a city that cares less about who you love, where you came from, what your gender is, where you worship than they care about your ability to take on the challenges ahead for our city.”

Among those attending the swearing in ceremony was Gurbir Grewal, who would become the first Sikh to become state attorney general in the country if confirmed. Grewal was nominated by New Jersey Gov.-elect Phil Murphy last month.

“There is just something so right and so encouraging about celebrating this moment as we turn the page on 2017 and embark upon a new era, because today, together all of us in this room are turning the page on a year that saw a rise in intolerance across this country,” said Grewal.“We’re turning a page on a year that saw and an increase in attacks on people based on hate and ignorance and bias.”
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Another racist flyer pops up in New Jersey elections

ASIAN AMERICAN voters could play a pivotal role in New Jersey's elections Tuesday, Nov. 7.

The growth of the Asian/American population in New Jersey has done two things: 1. The New York Times published an article about the mounting influence of the South Asian electorate; and, 2. Caused racists to come out of hiding.

Another racist flyer has popped up in the last minute linking a Sikh/American candidate to terrorism. 

The flyers, which were placed on car windshields, depict candidate Ravi Bhalla, who is running for mayor of Hoboken, wearing the traditional turban of his Sikh faith. Beside his photo, in bold red letters, the fliers read, “Don’t let TERRORISM take over our town!”

Bhalla responded on his Facebook account Saturday (Oct.4).

"We won't let hate win in Hoboken," he wrote. "I want people to know that Hoboken is a welcoming community where my wife and I are proud to raise our two young children. No matter your religion, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation, you are welcome here in our City. And as Mayor, I will work hard to make sure we keep it that way.

"I want to use this incident as an opportunity to affirm to each other and our children the value of living in a diverse community where we are judged by the content of our character - not by the color of our skin or how we worship. At this time in our nation’s history when we have a President who seeks to divide us, it is critical that we come together as a community and stand up for American values."

Hoboken Police Chief Ken Ferrante tweeted that police are investigating this as a potential “bias crime.”

The flyer makes accusations similar to flyers released by one of Bhalla's opponent Michael DeFusco . DeFusco claimed that the flyers were designed to look like it came from him. He condemned the fliers and said they did not come from his campaign.

The Hoboken flyers came just two days after a racist postcard was mailed to voters in Edison, NJ targeting Asian School Board candidates with the slogan “Make Edison Great Again.”

“The repugnant racist tactics represented in these campaign materials do a disservice to the welcoming community that New Jersey truly is," said James Sues, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations -NJ. "This is just a painful reminder of the extreme divisiveness that characterizes current political climate at the national level.”

The New York Times noted that Democratic gubernatorial candidate Daniel Murphy visited a construction site for a Hindu temple. “It was a recognition that the South Asian community in New Jersey is a force — a force that cannot be lumped in with Asians in general,” said Rajiv Parikh, the lawyer for the New Jersey Democratic State Committee.

“I think there has been an awakening and a lot of it has to do with this transition from the immigrant mentality to the first- and second-generation mentality,” said Parikh in the NYT.

“Folks like myself who grew up here understand the importance of government and making sure that your voice is heard,” he said. “If you don’t go and do the work, you’re not going to effectuate change for yourself.”

The number of South Asians in the state has grown dramatically in recent decades. In 1970, there were fewer than 50,000 Asians in New Jersey, according to state data. By 2010, there were more than 725,000.

The NYT article noted the potential for a couple of firsts for South Asians. If Bhalla wins his contest in Hoboken, he would become the first South Asian mayor in the state. Vin Gopal, former Democratic chair for Monmouth County, could be the first South Asian in the state legislature in his Senate race for the 11th Legislative District.

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