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An incident outside a Sunday evening sign making gathering in preparation for the Stand Against Hate Rally scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday resulted in an arrest after a 22-year-old man allegedly pepper sprayed a transgender woman, according to witnesses and police.

The incident occurred near 7:29 p.m at 1100 Ocean Avenue, Police Department Spokesman Capt. Michael Casey said.  The sign making party was being held inside the Fourth Avenue pavilion. 

The incident is not being handled as a hate crime, Casey said.

Morris May White, 22, of Scotch Plains has been arrested and is charged with aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, Casey said.

“This lady and gentleman got into a confrontation,” Casey said.

Mayor John Moor said he was deeply disheartened and disappointed by the news.

“No incident like this will be tolerated,” Moor said of the Monday rally.

City resident Joe Grillo, among those at the sign making event and part of the organizational team, said the woman involved in the incident was a transitioning person in her twenties.

“We implore everyone to stay peaceful and to stay positive,” Grillo said. “Do not engage.”

Grillo, and others gathered at the sign making event, posted a message via social media. Within 2 hours the post had 2,381 views.

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