Reparations Task Force -- Get Involved

In October 2021, SJM joined forces with the NJ Institute for Social Justice (NJISJ), the NAACP NJSC Religious Affairs, the Episcopal Diocese of NJ, the Peoples Organization for Progress, Unitarian Universalist Faith Action, and others to strategize and work together to help get the state to pass a bill (A938/S386) to create a reparations task force. Together, this coalition is known as the NJ Faith Allies for a Reparations Task Force: Say the Word (NJ Faith Allies). You can read the bill here (https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2022/A938).

The NJ Faith Allies held three rallies (one virtual 10/11, and two in-person, 10/30 in Perth Amboy and 12/2 at the state house). We have been reaching out to NJ legislative representatives all across the state to ask for their support of the bill to create a reparations task force. We met with Senator Loretta Weinberg (prior to her leaving office) and have been pursuing meetings with other legislators and following up with the Black Caucus.

You can help us to get this bill passed. Visit www.400yearsnj.org to reach out to your representatives, and especially to Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Senate President Nick Scutari, via email, phone, and/or Twitter to urge them to push for hearings on A938/S386 now. Be sure to encourage your friends to also visit www.400yearsnj.org. And visit www.njisj.org/saytheword for more information, history, statistics, articles, and more.

Together we can make this happen!