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April Newsletter

Although we may face some precipitation, we can always count on your participation.

April is a month known for rain. Rain is a symbol of renewal, rebirth, and growth, but rain can also symbolize power, force, and change. This month, New Jerseyans are observing Ramadan, Passover, Easter, Songkran, Sikh Awareness Month, and Arab Heritage Month. Communities from all around the globe call New Jersey home, and April, rich in celebration and observances, fills us with the spirit of renewal, power, and change.

April showers, people power. 

April 22nd is Earth Day, a reminder that no matter which part of the world our heritage stems from, we must unite in the call for environmental and earth justice. This month, we cast the Member Spotlight on JV Valladolid, Environmental Justice Organizer from Ironbound Community Corporation (ICC).

 

Member Spotlight

“When we talk about environmental injustice, we are talking about our neighborhood being seen and used as a dumping ground for corporations. We are talking about the land being sacrificed and people being displaced. We are talking about our neighborhood being targeted by companies because they want to build on our community.”

-JV Valladolid, Environmental Justice Organizer, Ironbound Community Corporation

 

NJ’s Ground Breaking Language Justice & Inclusion Bills


NJAIJ is proud to support two first-in-the-nation Language Access and Data Disaggregation bills recently introduced in the legislature. 

Senator Teresa Ruiz’s Language Access bill (S2459) positions New Jersey with the nation’s most inclusive and comprehensive Language Access plan – providing written translation of the 15 most commonly spoken languages at all State government entities that provide direct services, among other sweeping reforms.

Data Disaggregation bill (A3092/S2415) would require agencies that collect demographic data to disaggregate race and ethnicity for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and Middle East and North African communities – another first in the nation. The bill is led by Assembly Members Stanley and Jaffer and Senator Gopal.

It is not lost on us that these landmark pieces of legislation are led by lawmakers who proudly claim and celebrate their immigrant heritage. Our state, our government, and our recovery are all stronger when the incredible diversity of our population is uplifted and represented. Tell your representatives that you support these bills by taking action below.

 

Licenses Live: 6 Points of Identification

As we near the one-year anniversary since status neutral driver's licenses became available in New Jersey on May 1st, check out our *new* bilingual Know Your Rights series: "Licenses: LIVE!" 

This is the second installment of Licenses Live, focusing on the 6 Points of Identification. We cover do's and don'ts at the MVC, preparing IDs and documents, and how to get involved in the campaign. 

You can catch the first and second episodes of the series on our Facebook page. Make sure to stay tuned for new episodes!

NJAIJams Playlist!

It's the music that brings us together! 

At the NJAIJ, we're focusing on finding and reclaiming the joy in resistance and struggle. 

We've curated a playlist of songs that remind us of why we continue the work we do, and that show us that sometimes, music is the best form of expression. Click below for the link to the playlist, updated weekly!

New Labor Workers Memorial Day March

Join New Labor on April 24th at 1 pm in New Brunswick for their Workers Memorial Day March, starting at 55 Paterson Street. 

Workers Memorial Day is Thursday, April 28th, and is a day of remembrance for workers who have been killed or injured on the job. As we still live in a pandemic world, we commemorate our essential workers, many of whom are people of color and immigrants who have risked their lives for us.

We stand in solidarity with New Labor, along with all workers who have the right to safety and a voice in their workplace. Click below for more information and registration.

Events: Week of April 18th, 2022

Make the Road NJ (MRNJ) has opened its VIRTUAL DRIVING SCHOOL, once again - Registration ends April 20: These classes will help prepare community members for the written driving exam. Classes are in Spanish and last 7 weeks. Classes run from Friday, April 29 - Monday, May 2. Community members can choose between Monday, 6-9 PM or Friday 6-9 PM. Check out the registration link: https://bit.ly/manejo-mrnj.

 

LALDEF The Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc. will hold a vaccine clinic. COVID-19 and flu vaccines will be available. - Saturday, April 23, 10 AM - 2 PM: For more information, click here.

 

New Labor invites you to their Workers Memorial Day March and Rally - Sunday, April 24, 1-2:30 PM - 55 Paterson Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901: Workers Memorial Day remembers and honors those who died or got injured in the workplaces. New Labor continues the fight for safe workplaces for ALL.

 

CATA - The Farmworker Support Committee is looking to hire a part-time Farmworker Organizer in Southern New Jersey. Learn more here.

 

Make the Road NJ’s (MRNJ) Citizenship Classes are now open - Classes start Saturday, April 26, every TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY,  6-8 PM: These virtual classes will focus on the civics, history and government of the United States. Check out their registration link: https://bit.ly/ciudadania-mrnj.

 

The Latino Action Network Foundation is collaborating with Planned Parenthood Action Fund of NJ to discuss the importance of sex education and reproductive justice in the Latinx community - Saturday, April 26, 11 AM - 12:30 PM. Learn more.

 

SPAN Parent Advocacy Network has so much planned for the months of April and May! They have events ranging from community spaces for women and youth, to discussions on education and health care rights in the juvenile justice system. Check out their events on their eventbrite here!

 

MAY DAY Action with Unidad Latina en Acción (ULA) - Sunday, May 1, 11 AM

ULA will hold a march in Princeton, New Jersey for worker’s rights on May Day. Save the date!

 

Take action with NJ Institute for Social Justice (NJISJ)! NJISJ is working on a number of bills, from banning joke-holds to advocating for same-day registration to closing New Jersey’s youth prisons. Take action by checking out their website: njisj.org/action_center.

 

Oasis - A Haven for Women and Children will hold summer courses for ESL and computer skills. Childcare will be available. Check out their website for more information. 

 

The Palestinian American Community Center (PACC) is relaunching their community garden! PACC is looking for volunteers to help sustain the garden! If interested, fill out their volunteer form here.

 

Check out the Palestinian American Community Center’s (PACC) recent press release wishing a Happy Ramadan to people in Palestine, and bringing awareness to the events happening there. Learn more here. 

 

Volunteer with Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) as an interpreter or translator! If interested, check out their volunteer form here.

Ready to act? Spread the word:

New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice


P.O. Box 200492,  | Newark, New Jersey  07102| info@njimmigrantjustice.org

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