The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice uses cutting-edge racial and social justice advocacy to empower people of color by building reparative systems that create wealth, transform justice and harness democratic power—from the ground up—in New Jersey.
Our Work:
The Three Pillars of Social Justice
Marking Juneteenth: The Ongoing Quest for Freedom in New Jersey
Watch our Juneteenth panel of Institute experts discussing how to #DoRacialJustice in this critical moment.
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."
In front of a sold-out crowd at NJPAC, the award-winning journalist discussed 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.
Nikole was 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 brought the conversation home to New Jersey. Panelists included 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).
Presented in association with the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, Prudential, The Inclusion Project at Rutgers Law School, and Salvation & Social Justice
Hear from NJ Youth about What They Need to Stay Out of the Criminal Justice System
In the News
NJ Public Health Credits Law Signed, Setting National Standard for COVID-19 in Prisons
October 20, 2020
Gov. Murphy signed into law S2519/A4235, which lets people nearing end of prison sentences go home months early
TRENTON – In a victory for racial justice and public health, Gov. Murphy on Oct. 19 signed into law S2519/A4235, championed by Senator Nellie Pou and Assemblyman Raj Mukherji, to save lives from the COVID-19 pandemic. The law, which is the first of its kind in the United States, implements public health emergency credits that will allow for the early release of incarcerated people nearing the end of their sentences during the COVID-19 pandemic. The policy sets a standard for other states as infections rate climb nationally, especially in prisons, which are known as Petri dishes for viral spread.
“This law unfortunately comes too late to save my son Rory, who died of COVID-19 just weeks before he was to come home – but, thankfully, it can save other mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, and countless loved ones the heartbreak I have been through from knowing my child’s death could have been prevented. I thank the Legislature and Gov. Murphy for paying tribute to my beautiful son’s life by making sure fewer lives are lost to this virus,” said Bernice Ferguson, whose son Rory Price died of COVID-19 in March.
Court Ruling Protects NJ Voters Against Trump Lawsuit
October 07, 2020
Federal Judge Blocks Trump Campaign Attempt to Undermine New Jersey’s Plan for Safe & Robust Election
TRENTON, NJ—A federal judge ruled on Tuesday in Trump v. Murphy that election provisions allowing election officials to begin canvassing vote-by-mail ballots 10 days before Election Day and allowing ballots without a postmark to be counted if received within 48 hours of the election do not violate federal law. The League of Women Voters and the NAACP New Jersey State Conference were granted leave to intervene in the case on behalf of voters last month. The groups are represented by the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, Campaign Legal Center and DLA Piper.
More information about the case can be found here.
Video Release: Danny Devito Tells NJ How to Vote
October 07, 2020
INSTITUTE AND PARTNERS RELEASE ANIMATED VIDEO TO EDUCATE VOTERS ABOUT PAPER BALLOT VOTING
New Jersey’s Danny DeVito Narrates
TRENTON, NJ – With a little help from Danny DeVito, the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice and a diverse group of non-profit organizations have created a fresh way to educate New Jerseyans about the importance of voting and how to do it safely and effectively during COVID-19. The coalition has created a short non-partisan animated video for viewers that clearly outlines how to vote in this election - how to fill out a paper ballot, where to place your signature, and where and how to deliver your vote to ensure it’s received. There is also a Spanish version of the video for New Jersey registered voters who speak Spanish as a first language to help make sure they have equal access to the information they need to vote.
"We are living in extraordinary times, facing challenges we haven’t faced before – especially for communities of color who have been ravaged by the current pandemic," said Henal Patel, Director of the Democracy & Justice Program at the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. "Like everything else, voting looks different this year. But as we face one of the most urgent elections of our lifetimes, it's more important than ever that we get it right. We hope this video proves helpful for New Jerseyans across the state who want to make sure their voices are heard."
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Institute and Partners Release Post-Election Assessment from 2020 Primary
September 25, 2020 -
Trump’s Challenge to New Jersey’s Plan for Vote-by-Mail Threatens Voting Rights, Advocacy Groups Say in New Legal Filing
August 31, 2020 -
Plaintiffs in NJ Lawsuit Establishing Fair Ballot Signature Match Process Applaud Ballot Cure Act
August 31, 2020 -
Institute Responds to Gov. Murphy’s Budget Address
August 25, 2020 -
Institute and League of Women Voters of NJ Respond to Gov. Murphy’s General Election Plan
August 18, 2020
Given the significant challenges we face, we have only two options: to embrace chaos or embrace community. We choose community. Join us as we work to bend our neighborhoods toward the beloved community.