https://www.mamascaucus.org/
They’re having a town hall on May 1st and I plan to attend to advocate for parental leave policy.
First, let me just say to everyone: please don't give up because of cynicism! I've seen lawmakers change their minds after enough people engaged with them and shared personal stories with them! The key is persistence! And to that end, please find your 3 state legislators on https://openstates.org/find_your_legislator/, then call, email, drop by their office, and let them know why you support legalization! Please sign up on the mailing list of New Jersey United for Marijuana Reform (an umbrella group consisting of the ACLU, NAACP, NORML and others) at https://www.njumr.org/! There will be a third hearing from the Caucus starting at 11 am on 4/24/18 at the Second Baptist Church at 110 Rev. Dr. Isaac Cole Plz, Atlantic City, NJ 08401. There will be two three legalization hearings from the state assembly where you can actually speak out, on 4/14, 4/21 and 5/12, all Saturdays, all 10-3 (you don't have to be there the whole time), at Middlesex County Community College, Rowan University and Bergen Community College. Consider going to those if you can! Details here: https://www.facebook.com/pg/CoalitionforMedicalMJNJ/events/
And now, my observations from the Mt. Teman A.M.E. Church in Elizabeth, where this hearing is taking place:
I’m looking at a list of the speakers, things seem very stacked in favor of the anti-legalization side. From what I hear, the speakers were mostly arranged by Senator Ronald Rice’s office. Here a pic of the list of speakers: https://i.imgur.com/Aj67QhD.jpg
Legislators on the panel: Assemblyman Jamel C. Holley, who reps Union Township, Elizabeth, Roselle, Hillside. Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter, who reps Paterson and other parts of Bergen County. Senator Ronald Rice, who reps parts of Newark, Bloomfield, etc. Pat Perkins, councilwoman of Elizabeth. State Senator Joe Cryan, who reps Elizabeth, Roselle, etc. State Senator Nick Scutari, who reps Plainfield, Clark, Linden, etc. Pic of the panel: https://i.imgur.com/HF85GlK.jpg
Cryan just said he’s against legalization in his introductory remarks, but he supports decriminalization. He says he might change his mind.
Senator Scutari, a big champion of legalization, is using his introductory remarks to promote legalization. He brings up his experience as a prosecutor. He mentions this disproportionately harms of people of color. He mentions that he introduced a bill to prohibit alcohol again, just to make a point.
Senator Rice emphasizes that the Black Caucus isn’t taking a position a
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