A predominantly Asian American church in New Jersey was “Zoom-bombed” last night during their Good Friday Service. The service, which had over 120 families in attendance, many of them including young children, was proceeding as planned with pastors leading in song and contemplative prayer when the perpetrators interrupted the service with deafening screams and switched the video to pornographic images. They then began shouting racial slurs and anti-Asian speech, including “I hate Asians!” and “Chinks!”

The entire ordeal lasted for around one minute while the moderators scrambled to remove them and lock the Zoom service.

A church member spoke to AsianFeed about the terrifying incident, “I saw children crying and covering their ears, moms rushing to grab and shield their kids. Over thirty families left the call fearing for their safety, with the rest sitting in shock and horror, shaking with rage and fear.”

She then said, “I am devastated that the perpetrators orchestrated the attack to threaten a community in their own homes, violating them and their deeply held commitments. After the attack, I did not feel safe in my own dining room where I had been watching the service with my husband. This incident goes to show how Anti-Asian hate does not stop when we come home from the streets and close the door behind us. It follows us, finding its way into our most vulnerable and sacred places, and for that reason, I am determined to fight even harder and speak louder about violence against people of AAPI descent.”

Church staff have since reported the incident to Zoom, who is investigating the incident.