Media Advisory
For Immediate Release
May 22, 2013
Reference: Bea Sabino, Chairperson, Anakbayan NJ
anakbayan.nynj@gmail.com, (201) 779 6886
New Jersey Students and Community to Launch
“Week of Action: NJ DREAM Act Now!”
WHO: NJ Dream Act Coalition, NJ United Students, Anakbayan NJ, Mexican-American Progress Movement, Passaic DREAM Team, Essex County DREAM Team, Wind of the Spirit, PICO New Jersey, Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey, and community at large
WHAT: From May 26-31, 2013, student and community groups are holding a series of actions to demand Governor Christie and the NJ State Legislature to pass A3509/S2479, which would allow DREAM Act- eligible youth to qualify for in-state tuition and access state financial aid at New Jersey’s public colleges and universities, by the June 30, 2013 state budget deadline.
Community groups are urging concerned citizens to take a stand for a person’s right to affordable and quality education, regardless of immigration status. Everyone is invited to participate in the New Jersey DREAM Act Week of Action. Activities range from social media campaigns on Facebook and Twitter to public forums, vigils and rallies across New Jersey.
LIST OF EVENTS:
May 25, 2013
Wind of the Spirit and SEIU 32BJ BBQ + “Papers” Film Screening
6pm @ First Memorial Presbyterian Church, 51 W. Blackwell St, Dover, NJ
Contact: renata.mauriz@gmail.com
May 26, 2013
Mexican American Progress Movement Immigration Reform Workshop + “Dream is Now” Film Screening
3pm @ Mexican American Community Center, 169 Lexington Avenue, Passaic, NJ 07055
Contact: mapm.nj@gmail.com
May 29, 2013
“Day of Action”
Newark
Essex County Dream Team Coming Out of the Shadows
12-2pm @ Essex County College, Newark, NJ
Contact: vparra@afsc.org
Jersey City
Rally + Press Conference for NJ Dream Act
5pm @ City Hall, 280 Grove St, Jersey City, NJ
Contact: yvesnibungco@gmail.com
Union City
Choforitos United Rally for NJ DREAM Act
5pm @ Union City Plaza of the Arts (Bergenline Avenue, btw 30th and 31st streets), Union City, NJ
Contact: liborioadorno11@gmail.com
If you’d like to register an event as part of the NJ Dream Act Week of Action, contact Bea Sabino at (201) 779 6886 or email bmb.sabino@gmail.com. For an updated list of events, please visit njtuitionequity.wordpress.com.
WHY: The NJTED Campaign launched with a rally at the State House in Trenton on January 8, just before Governor Christie’s State of the State Address. For the past 5 months, the NJ Dream Act campaign has been steadily gaining legislative and community support. Dozens of student groups, community organizations, labor unions and faith-based groups have signed on as endorsers of the campaign. The cities of Jersey City, Passaic, Elizabeth, Plainfield and New Brunswick all passed city resolutions urging the New Jersey State Legislature to enact the passage of A3509/S2479. Additionally, Essex County Freeholders and Union County Freeholders have both signed similar resolutions.
The undocumented immigrant population in New Jersey makes up 6.2% of the total state population, making it the fourth-highest rate in the nation. In New Jersey, undocumented immigrants make up 8.6% of the state’s workforce and paid $446.1 million in state and local taxes in 2010. Despite their contribution to the local economy, undocumented immigrants are required to pay out-of-state tuition rates to attend college, and are ineligible for financial aid and scholarships.
The New Jersey Dream Act Week of Action aims to supplement ongoing legislative visits with a demonstration of the people power behind the call for the implementation of A3509/S2479 in time for the Fall 2013 semester. It is time for New Jersey to join the 14 other states that have enacted similar legislation for aspiring undocumented youth.
For more information about the NJ Dream Act Campaign and how to get involved in the Week of Action, please visit: http://njtuitionequity.wordpress.com ###
Anakbayan New Jersey 