Bhalla cautions residents, City holding "virtual rally" on Thursday

May 3, 2020 interfaith service: Hoboken Clergy Coalition members (minus Rev. Elaine Thomas) with Hudson County Brotherhood/Sisterhood Association

Hoboken Residents: a Hoboken Virtual Interfaith Clergy vigil for George Floyd will be live-streamed here at 5PM on  Thursday, June 4, 2020.   

Past Hoboken Clergy Coalition virtual services have included members of the Hudson County Brotherhood/Sisterhood Association, collectively representing Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Baha'i, Sikh and Hindu faiths.  When the coalition updates their Facebook page, we'll know more. 

To quote Hoboken Mayor Bhalla: 

"Hoboken residents will be able to participate live and online, in a virtual rally in a manner that is safe and does not compound the dangers of the pandemic we are all trying to contain. "

This vigil was in the works when outside "organizers" dropped their announcement on social media, inviting unknown thousands to stream into Maxwell Place Park on June 5 for a 1PM protest, no end time.  The organizers have since updated the protest announcement to show a 4 PM end time. 

What will the City do to help curtail groups/individuals from coming in to Hoboken later to 'stir the shit'? 

I don't know the answer. 

Last night, Mayor Bhalla put out a statement on Facebook, which is copied in full below: 

I recently issued a statement joining the rest of the nation in mourning the tragic and brutal murder of George Floyd at the hands of officers of the Minneapolis Police Department, and the justifiable anger, frustration and grief we are seeing across the streets of America. Along with scenes of peaceful, non-violent protest, we have also seen disturbing images of persons joining protestors but behaving in ways that undermine the legitimate voices of peaceful protestors, and do not align with our values in fighting against police brutality and systemic racism still ingrained in the highest institutions of our county.

Many Hoboken residents have contacted me about this topic and the desire to join in protest against the murder of George Floyd and racial injustice. At the same time, we are in the middle of a global pandemic with COVID-19, which requires individuals to socially distance, wear face masks, and refrain from outdoor gatherings of 25 or more people. How do you organize an inclusive outdoor protest with 25 people, six feet apart?

It’s a great question, and regrettably I do not think it is possible in the context of the necessary public health restrictions created by this pandemic. Therefore, and in furtherance of our efforts to find the best and most safe way possible that meets the needs of two crises occurring at the same time, I have been in touch with our Interfaith Clergy, who will be hosting a “Hoboken Virtual Interfaith Clergy Vigil” where Hoboken residents will be able to participate live and online, in a virtual rally in a manner that is safe and does not compound the dangers of the pandemic we are all trying to contain. This Hoboken Virtual Interfaith Clergy Vigil will be held on Thursday, June 4th, at 5 pm, and will be broadcast live at Hoboken Clergy Coalition.

Many residents have also inquired about a protest planned this Friday in Hoboken, which I learned more about over the weekend. I spoke to the organizers of the protest today and we and discussed many logistical issues. 

I expressed my solidarity with the movement for racial justice, and we discussed our joint desire for this to be a peaceful and non-violent protest. The Hoboken Police Department has been proactive in planning and intelligence gathering since Friday, and will play a central role protecting residents, businesses and protestors throughout the entire day. I thank all members from the department for working hard to keep Hoboken safe. From speaking to the organizers, we also expect the vast majority of participants will attend the protest for its intended purpose – to protest the murder of George Floyd and racial injustice.

However, I am also concerned this event cannot be socially distant, as we have seen in other parts of the country, and may expose attendees to a risk of danger from individuals who may attend for reasons that are improper – despite the be the best intentions of the organizers of this protest. For this reason, I cannot offer you advice as to whether or not to attend this gathering, except to make an educated decision and express your free speech rights “eyes wide open” about the pandemic we are facing and safer alternatives discussed above.

In closing, while I wish we can join together in unity, holding hands, marching, protesting, and advocating in the way we normally do as patriotic Americans, these are not normal times. The ground has shifted beneath us in major ways, twice this year, and we must adapt to these changes. I hope residents recognize this reality and express their free speech right in a manner that does not risk their public health or physical safety.

Thank you,

Ravi