White supremacists crashed N.J. town’s Labor Day parade, mayor says

Several members of a New Jersey white supremacy organization showed up unannounced for the South Plainfield Labor Day Parade Monday wearing American flag masks and carrying a large banner that called for border closings.

The town’s mayor Tweeted that the group, the New Jersey European Heritage Association, did not register for the parade, were treated as protesters and are not welcome in town. The Anti Defamation League classifies them as a hate group.

In addition to American flag masks, the members of the group wore sunglasses to hide their identities. The group is known for posting fliers around New Jersey, and had not posted anything on their social media about the South Plainfield parade as of Tuesday.

“In no way, shape or form did I, the governing body, the parade committee or any other [South Plainfield] group approve of their presence,” Mayor Matthew Anesh said in a Monday evening Tweet, in response to another post.

On Tuesday, Anesh reiterated to NJ Advance Media that the group inserted themselves into the parade, at the rear, and the police department handled the situation well. He said not only is the group not welcome – he would use their name – but that he’s heard that residents along the route vocally objected to their presence and sign.

“As makes sense with this type of group,” Anesh said.

The mayor also clarified that a Tweet showing a short video of the group in the parade incorrectly assumed that police were escorting or condoning them as marchers.

Anesh said the group was at the rear, and the police cars in front and behind them were to protect residents and keep an eye on the group.

The mayor said he senses that the group, which was filming their own activities, wanted to stoke a confrontation or freedom of speech argument.

“They are not welcome, which is how all the governing body in town feels,” he said. “It was an an unfortunate incident, and it certainly caught town officials off guard, but not the police.”

The South Plainfield Labor Day Parade is the state’s oldest and largest. Monday was the 63rd annual parade.

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Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com.

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