‘Hands Across NJ’ Protest Will Cross Through Essex County

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — People will try to form a human chain across New Jersey this week to protest “authoritarianism” in the United States, including a route through Essex County, organizers say.

The Hands Across New Jersey rally is scheduled to take place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 17. Learn more here.

“On Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, thousands of New Jerseyans will join hands from Fort Lee to Washington Crossing Historic Park—across Revolutionary War battlefields, Wawas, diners, small towns, and national parks—to form a living chain of resistance against authoritarianism,” organizers said.

“This route honors the bravery and resolve of those who fought to build a democracy by and for the people,” organizers continued. “[George] Washington's retreat through New Jersey—from Fort Lee to Washington Crossing—was a low point for the American cause, but with fresh recruits and renewed inspiration, he led the Continental Army to victory at Trenton on December 25, 1776. With that same irrepressible spirit and commitment, we retrace this route to defend our Constitution, the foundation of our democracy.”

Want to participate? Demonstrators can sign up to get a spot online here.

According to Essex County-based advocacy group SOMA Action, protesters will be gathering from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Northfield Avenue between Cherry Lane and St. Cloud Place in West Orange.

Demonstrators will be meeting at 4:30 p.m. by the topiary giraffe in front of the Turtle Back Zoo. Interested participants can sign up for more details here.

Other gatherings will be taking place in Montclair and Verona, according to Mobilize.us.

Here’s how it will work, organizers say:

“You and dozens of others will be assigned to a single spot. Everyone assigned to this spot should spread out along the sidewalk to cover about 500 feet in both directions. There should end up being a person roughly every five to 10 feet — not a cluster of people and then no one for several thousand feet.”

“The sidewalk is public space and you are within your rights to be there,” organizers said. “Do not block access to any commercial or residential property or entrances.”

Partner organizers include Indivisible's The Resistance Alliance/Hawthorne; TroubleNation Team No Nonsense North Jersey; Indivisible Lambertville, NJ/New Hope, PA; Actors Equity Association; American Federation of Musicians; NJ Local 16-248; The Beacon Teaneck; GWB Indivisible; MC11 Forward.

People with questions about the event can contact handsacrossnj@gmail.com

• See Related: 'Know Your Protest Rights': New Jersey ACLU Shares Tips For Activists

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