Martinez, a leading immigrants’ rights organizer and advocate, will lead Make the Road New Jersey’s political and legislative advocacy efforts

Today, Make the Road New Jersey announced Viri Martinez (she/they) as the organization’s new Legislative and Political Action Manager. One of the state’s leading immigrants’ rights organizers and advocates, Martinez joins Make the Road New Jersey after six years at the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice (NJAIJ), where she most recently served as the organization’s Deputy Director of Strategy.

“Viri is one of the most effective organizers in the state. We’re so excited to have her leading our political and legislative advocacy work,” said Nedia Morsy, Director of Make the Road New Jersey. “Viri has been on the frontlines of every major campaign to protect immigrants’ rights in the state, from bringing national attention to Delaney Hall to passing the Immigrant Protections Package in Trenton. She’s savvy, has strong relationships across the state, and she knows how to win. Welcome, Viri!”

“I’m honored to join Make the Road New Jersey and get to work building political power for our state’s immigrant and working-class communities. As the daughter of immigrants and a lifelong New Jerseyan, this work is deeply personal to me,” said Viri Martinez, Legislative and Political Action Manager at Make the Road New Jersey. “There are powerful forces that want to attack us and keep us divided, but I know that when we organize, stick together, and fight back, we win.”

Viri Martinez brings extensive campaign and advocacy experience to Make the Road New Jersey, having managed statewide coalitions, directed legislative and communications strategy for policy campaigns, and facilitated trainings for advocates and grassroots activists.

She is a graduate of Rutgers-New Brunswick and Raritan Valley Community College, as well as a proud alum of the New Jersey Leadership Collective.

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