NOW-NJ endorses May 22 rally in Trenton
by Laura Farrell, examiner.com, Newark, May 51, 2010
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Gov. Chris Christie calls for big
cuts to education and health care, while sparing the
wealthiest.
AP Photo/Mel Evans |
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Last night, the New
Jersey chapter of the National Organization of Women (NOW-NJ)
distributed an email calling on members to participate in New
Jersey Citizen Action's rally in Trenton on May 22. The
rally is likely to draw a large crowd in support of public
services, public schools, public colleges. and public health
facilities. Protesters are demanding a reinstatement of the
millionaires tax, which the New Jersey legislature has now
approved but which Governor Chris Christie has vowed to veto.
NOW-NJ said that many of Christie's cuts will hit women hardest,
while sparing the wealthiest. NOW-NJ told its members:
"Our Governor wants to give tax breaks to millionaires and take
from the dwindling middle class and the working poor to balance
the state budget. The two fields hit the hardest by
Governor Chris Christie's cuts are in education and health care,
which are fields that are heavily employed by women... In
addition, the Governor is putting women and their newborns in
life threatening situations and his actions have racist and
sexist implications."
Hundreds of labor and community groups around New Jersey are
supporting the May 22 rally including Communications Workers of
America, Garden State Equality, Health Professionals and Allied
Employees, International Federation of Professional and
Technical Engineers, NAACP New Brunswick Area Branch, New Jersey
Education Association, New Jersey Policy Perspective, New Jersey
Working Families Alliance, Professional Firefighters, Take Back
Trenton Coalition, and United Food and Commercial Workers Union
(UFCW).
As reported by Matt Friedman, State House Bureau for The Record
(northjersey.com), organizers for the event say it will draw
tens of thousands of protesters to Trenton, and that the rally
will be the biggest in Statehouse history.
New Jersey Citizen Action has arranged for free bus
transportation for participants, but seating is limited and
filling up quickly. If you would like bus transportation
to the rally, contact Adam Sherman at
may22rally@njcitizenaction.org or at 732-246-4772 ext. 22.
There are 18 pickup locations throughout the state, including
Newark and Montclair. Buses will leave between 8am and 9am
on May 22 for the 12 noon rally at the Statehouse. For a
full list of pickup locations and for more information, visit
New Jersey Citizen Action's website.
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