Edison, NJ- The 2017 racist campaign flyer incident in Edison, New Jersey, continues to cast a long shadow. The offensive content, attacking Asian-American school board candidates Falguni Patel and Jerry Shi, served as a potent reminder of the deep divisions that can exist even within diverse communities.
As residents continue to ask questions over four years after the Council launched an independent investigation, let’s explore the incident’s lingering impact and why the pursuit of answers remains crucial.
The “Make Edison Great Again” flyers, defacing the candidates’ images with the term “Deport,” drew a swift and fierce backlash from residents and elected officials in Edison. The case grabbed national headlines, fueling concerns about rising prejudice and political tactics rooted in division. Federal and local authorities, including the U.S Postal Inspector, immediately began their work to unmask those responsible.
The complex nature of the incident quickly surfaced. While initial assumptions centered on an external perpetrator, an unexpected bombshell arose in the form of a U.S. Postal Inspector report. This report pointed toward the possibility of an orchestrated “inside job,” with those running for office and their associates potentially involved in its creation. The revelation cast doubt on the original narratives and left investigators grasping for answers.
Alongside ongoing law enforcement investigations, the Edison Township Council made the unprecedented move of launching its own inquiry in 2019 which was led by Mayor Sam Joshi and his Chief of Staff Bob Diehl who were both re-elected to the Council only days after the flier was distributed. Driven by a sense of collective responsibility, the council invested significantly in subpoenaing testimony and forensic analysis. While their actions demonstrated a deep commitment to finding the truth, the council ultimately dropped the investigation after Joshi was elected Mayor and appointed Diehl Chief of Staff in 2021.
Years have passed since the Edison racist flyer incident, yet the central question of “who” remains unanswered. Despite exhaustive efforts, no one has been held accountable for this vile act of prejudice. The lack of resolution perpetuates feelings of frustration and emphasizes the difficulty in bringing perpetrators of hate crimes to justice. Some Council members have questioned why a final report was not issued after spending $50,000 on the investigation, alleging Mayor Joshi manipulated the investigation for his own political advantage as he prepared to run for higher office.
Though the case stands unresolved, the Edison incident has had lasting effects. It underscored the importance of confronting racism head-on, even when the culprits cannot be immediately identified. The incident serves as a constant reminder that acts of hate and division have real-world consequences and erode the bonds of trust within communities.
While the quest for justice in the Edison racist flyer case might seem at a standstill, there’s still work to be done. Residents of Edison deserve answers and a final report needs to be made public. Only through sustained vigilance, honest dialogue, and a genuine commitment to inclusivity can we hope to overcome the forces that undermine our shared values.
