Unitarian Universalist FaithAction NJ
A Unitarian Universalist voice for justice, equity and compassion in NJ
UPDATE: The “Freedom to Read Act” (S2421) was removed from the agenda of the February 15th meeting of the NJ Senate Education Committee. We expect the bill to be heard and voted at the next Senate Education Committee meeting.
Newly appointed Department of Corrections ombudsperson Terry Schuster released a special report on “Heat in NJ Prisons.” For several years, there have been reports of extreme temperature — heat in summer and cold in winter, within the prisons. For incarcerated persons, this constitutes a form of “cruel and unusual punishment.”
Send a message to Gov. Murphy, your NJ state legislators, the Commissioner and the Department of Corrections and the Ombudsperson to let them know that it is imperative to take action now.
We have won $40 million in COVID financial relief through a Fund for Excluded New Jerseyans—yet this sum will serve less than 10% of those in need.
As UUs we know that our entire society is improved when everyone has a chance to change and grow. Expanding reentry services and insuring that those released from incarceration receive timely and effective help will go a long way towards supporting them to develop their gifts and talents, and become contributing members of their community.
Here in New Jersey, we continue the important work of undoing decades of mass-incarceration. We know that the over-reliance on punishment and retribution, including harmful policies like mandatory minimum sentencing, has led only to over-crowded prisons nationwide, and devastated families and communities in their wake.
Tell lawmakers that now is the time to protect the fundamental and constitutional right to full reproductive freedom. The Reproductive Freedom Act (S3030/A4848) will expand and protect access to reproductive health care for all New Jerseyans.
If passed, the Restorative and Transformative Justice for Youth and Communities Pilot Program (A4663/S2924) will establish pilot programs in Paterson, Newark, Trenton and Camden. These pilot programs will assist young people after they are released from juvenile facilities, and will also focus on keeping young people from entering the criminal legal system in the first place.
Wraparound services for youth after release would include mental health services, substance use disorder treatment, and life skill supports– all with the goal that they will get a fresh start and fully develop their potential in a positive direction. The second part, centered on keeping youth out of detention and/or the adult system, establishes “restorative justice hubs” where youth and their families can heal, build healthy relationships, and, if necessary, address any harm to individuals or community through dialogue, accountability, and repair.
Help us now by sending a letter to members of the Assembly Law and Public Safety committee and the Senate Judiciary committee to urge their quick action on this bill. The Assembly will hear the bill this coming Wednesday, so please take action quickly.
Please help ensure that New Jersey’s communities of color are included in the move to renewable energy. Governor Murphy’s New Jersey Clean Energy Act is a first step toward a renewable energy future in New Jersey, but we must be explicit and deliberate in ensuring that all New Jerseyans benefit from a clean energy future and are not burdened by health-harming pollution.
Many Unitarian Universalists, along with other Americans of good faith and conscience, have struggled for years with the searing legacy of 450 years of legalized slavery, Jim Crow laws and other policies of institutionalized racism North, South, East and West across the United States up to the present day. Many of our congregations in New Jersey are supporting or studying the adoption of an 8th Principle, one that would directly address the spiritual and ethical demands of this shameful legacy on our faith movement today.
A711/S322, to create a “New Jersey Reparations Task Force,” is expressly designed to help advance work for racial justice here in the Garden State. The bill would study reparations proposals for African-Americans in New Jersey.*
The task force would consist of 11 members, comprised of four legislators and seven citizens. This bill, among other things, requires the task force to: (1) examine the institution of slavery within the State of New 43 Jersey; (2) examine the extent to which the State of New Jersey and the federal government prevented, opposed, or restricted efforts of former enslaved persons and their descendants who are considered United States’ citizens to economically thrive upon the ending of slavery, and examine the lingering negative effects of slavery on living African-Americans and on society in New Jersey and the United States.
The Task force will make recommendations for what remedies should be awarded, through what instrumentalities, and to whom those remedies should be awarded; and address how said recommendations comport with national and international standards of remedy for wrongs and injuries caused by the State. An interim report is required within 12 months with a final report for action to be delivered within 24 months.
The Assembly bill has been sent to the Assembly State and Local Government Committee chaired by Asm. Vincent Mazzeo. The NJ Senate version goes before the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee chaired by Sen. James Beach.
The Assembly bill is sponsored by Assemblypeople Shavonda Sumter, Britnee Timberlake, and Verlina Reynolds-Jackson.
The Senate bill is sponsored by Senators Ron Rice, Sandra Cunningham, Troy Singleton, Leona Weinberg, Shirley Turner, and Nina Gill.
Please give your “yes” request to the committee chairs and members by clicking the button above or below.
In faith, with love, and for justice,
The Board and Staff at UU FaithAction NJ
*With thanks to Rohn Hein, UU Cherry Hill and other UU organizers for bringing this bill to our attention
The NJ Senate passed a landmark Environmental Justice bill (S232/A2212, Singleton/McKeon) in June. Governor Murphy made a public announcement of support on Juneteenth. However, Speaker Coughlin canceled a final vote on July 30th just hours before it was to occur.
Now it is past time for the Assembly to act.
A2212 will:
The NJ Assembly must pass NJ’s Cumulative Impacts Bill (S232 /
A2212) without any weakening amendments by the end of August.
