The Institute was proud to host the 1619 Project's Nikole Hannah-Jones and an esteemed panel.
Watch the livestream here
"The United States is a nation founded on both an ideal and a lie."
With her unvarnished 100k at the role Of slavery and its legacy on the making of our nation, Nikole Hannah-Jones tells us that "[w]ithout the idealistic, strenuous and patriotic efforts of black Americans, our democracy today would most likely look very different—it might not be a democracy at all."
The award-winning journalist will discuss the NYT Magazine's 1619 Project, a multi-media initiative marking the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Black people in Jamestown, Virginia, the system of slavery that followed and its enduring legacy in America.
She will be introduced by Shané Harris (Executive Director, The Prudential Foundation), and joined by a distinguished panel of scholars and advocates, moderated by Marcia W. Brown (Rutgers University- Newark), who will bring the conversation home to New Jersey. Panelists include Ryan P. Haygood (President and CEO, New Jersey Institute for Social Justice), Prof. Elise Boddie (The Inclusion Project at Rutgers Law School), Rev. Charles F. Boyer (Pastor and Founder Of Salvation and Social Justice), Marley Dias (Creator of #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign) and Richard Roper (Public Policy Consultant).
Tickets $5
Presented in association with the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, Prudential, The Inclusion Project at Rutgers Law School, and Salvation & Social Justice
The Institute seeks to ensure that urban residents live in a society that respects their humanity, provides equality of economic opportunity, empowers them to use their voice in the political process, and protects equal justice.
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In the News
Sumter, Tucker, Holley & Timberlake Bill to Repeal Law Prohibiting Voting for Individuals With Convictions Clears Assembly
November 27, 2019New Jersey Assembly Democrats Press Release
Bill to Restore Voting Rights to Persons on Parole or Probation
Asserting the right to vote as both fundamental and critical to democracy, a bill restoring voting rights to individuals on parole or probation was passed 46-23-1 in the full Assembly on Monday. The legislation is sponsored by Assembly Democrats Shavonda Sumter, Cleopatra Tucker, Jamel Holley and Britnee Timberlake.
The bill (A-5823) would remove the prohibition on voting by persons on parole and/or probation convicted for an indictable offense under any federal or state laws, which in New Jersey are offenses for crimes of the fourth through first degree.
“New Jersey can lead the nation as a model of racial justice and inclusive democracy with the enactment of this bill,” said Sumter (D-Bergen, Passaic). “The privilege to participate in the election process is a constitutional right afforded every American regardless of background, race or status. Every person of voting age should have the ability to cast their ballot without interference and without judgement of their personal history.”
Former State Legislators Sue Over Term Limits
November 27, 2019Route 50's Emma Coleman Reports
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | New Jersey Assembly passes voting bill for those on parole and probation … States question Census Bureau’s request for data … New York City Councilmembers call for cycling and pedestrian safety offices.
A bipartisan group of eight former Michigan state legislators filed a federal lawsuit challenging term limits that kept them from running again. The lawmakers take aim at a state constitutional amendment approved by voters in 1992 that limits legislators to 14 years of service, so their complaint does not apply to limits on statewide positions like governor and attorney general. According to the suit, the restrictions—which they call unconstitutional— have “proved a failed social experiment” and decrease a voter’s ability to support the candidate of their choice.
'Voiceless Ghosts of Democracy': 90,000 US Citizens With Criminal Records Set to Have Voting Rights Restored in New Jersey
November 27, 2019MSN News' Clark Mindock Reports
A measure that would restore the right to vote to nearly 90,000 American citizens in New Jersey could soon become law, after the state approved the measure in a party-line vote.
The bill, which Democrats managed to pass, is the latest effort across the United States to ensure that former felons are able to vote once they’ve left prison — and illustrates the power of local elections after a blue wave swept through the state in 2018.
The measure — which would extend voting rights to convicted felons who have been released from prison or jail, but are still on probation or parole — now goes to the Democrat-controlled state senate, where it must be approved before it can be passed along to Democratic governor Phil Murphy’s desk.
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NJ Assembly Passes Voting Rights for People on Parole and Probation
November 26, 2019 -
Activist’s Removal From Statehouse is Pattern to Silence Opposition, Advocates Claim
November 26, 2019 -
NJ Closer to Letting People on Parole, Probation Vote
November 26, 2019 -
Assembly Passes Bill Returning Voting Rights to Parolees, Probationers — But Not Prisoners
November 26, 2019 -
Time’s Up: Let’s Flush an Ancient Law With Racist Origins | Editorial
November 26, 2019
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