Black & Latino Legislators, Statewide Clergy & Civil Rights Leaders 

To Demand Action on Social & Racial Justice Legislation For 

Cannabis Decriminalization, Expungement, Youth Justice 

WHAT:  Black and Latino legislators, civil rights organizers and faith leaders will demonstrate their solidarity in a unified call to action for passage of legislation to end social injustice in New Jersey.  They demand the prioritizing of a package of bills to restore justice to those harmed by a biased and unfair criminal justice system and failed policies.

Regardless of their previous stance on the now defunct marijuana legalization bill, Black and Latino leaders are united in their unwavering support for decriminalization as a long-sought remedy for rampant injustice in our state court system.

New Jersey has the worst adult and youth incarceration racial disparities in the nation, mostly due to disproportionally enforced drug policies and anemic investments in community-based youth alternatives.

In addition to other critical concerns, the assembled leaders will call on lawmakers to enact the following legislation to liberate and empower minority residents.

Posting of Decriminalization of Marijuana Bill in the Senate

S-3205/A-4498 Enactment of Expungement Bill by Governor

S-3701/A-5365 Passage of Youth Transformation Act in the Senate and General Assembly

S-48/A5586 Passage of Juvenile Incarceration and Parole Reform Bill by the Senate

WHERE:  New Jersey State House

125 W State St, Trenton, NJ 08608

Room 103 (Across from the Senate Chambers)

WHEN:  10 a.m., Thursday, June 27, 2019

WHO:  Participants will include New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus Chair Senator Ronald L. Rice and other members such as Senator Sandra B. Cunningham, Assemblywoman Shavonda E. Sumter, Assemblywoman Angela McKnight, Assemblywoman Britnee N. Timberlake; New Jersey Legislative Latino Caucus Chair Senator Nellie Pou, Assemblywoman Annette Quijano, and others; NAACP Statewide Conference President Richard Smith; Salvation and Social Justice Executive Director Reverend Dr. Charles F.  Boyer; NJ Institute for Social JusticeAndrea McChristian Director of Criminal Justice Reform; Association of Black Women LawyersImmediate Past President Carolyn Chang; NJ Black Issues Convention Chair Reva Foster.