New Jersey Launches Community Peacemaker Collaborative to Combat Rise in Bias and Hate
TRENTON, NJ — In response to a significant increase in bias incidents, including antisemitism and Islamophobia, New Jersey’s Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, together with the Division on Civil Rights (DCR), unveiled the Community Peacemaker Collaborative. This initiative, funded by a $347,000 four-year grant from the United States Department of Justice’s Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Program, aims to tackle the escalating hate and bias in the state.
The Community Peacemaker Collaborative will focus on training local community members to deescalate conflicts arising from bias incidents within their communities. The program will extend its reach across all 21 counties of New Jersey, targeting community and student leaders with training on best practices for addressing bias incidents and conflict resolution techniques.
Attorney General Platkin emphasized New Jersey’s commitment to its diversity and safety, stating, “We will not stand idly by as the rise in bias and hate threatens the safety and security of our residents.” The initiative is a part of a broader strategy to increase awareness, educate the public, and implement preventative measures against bias and hate incidents.
Director of the Division on Civil Rights, Sundeep Iyer, highlighted the importance of innovative strategies to protect New Jerseyans from bias and hate, acknowledging the alarming increase in such incidents, especially those targeting Jewish and Muslim communities. Preliminary data from the New Jersey State Police shows a 22 percent increase in bias incidents in 2023 compared to the previous year, with anti-Black and anti-Jewish sentiments being the most common motivators.
The Community Peacemaker Collaborative represents a crucial step in New Jersey’s comprehensive efforts to combat bias and hate, adding to a range of actions under Attorney General Platkin’s leadership. These efforts include addressing bias incidents in educational settings, utilizing enforcement authority, and engaging in public education and outreach.
For more information or to report bias incidents, the public is encouraged to use the NJBIAS online portal or contact their local police departments. Those interested in the Community Peacemaker Collaborative can reach out to DCR’s Community Relations Unit.