To my supporters,
We are at a crossroads. Today, March 6, 2026, our basic rights are being challenged in the courts and our stories are being erased from the airwaves. This is an urgent update on why our Petition for Humanity is more critical now than ever.
1. The Battle for Your Privacy: United States v. Caldwell
As of yesterday, March 5, 2026, the legal fight to protect your personal data has intensified.
• The Fact: The DOJ is suing New Jersey to seize the unredacted voter rolls of 6.5 million residents, including partial Social Security numbers and driver’s license data.
• The Action: On March 4, the ACLU-NJ and the League of Women Voters filed a motion to block this, calling it a "crazed demand" that threatens voter privacy and could lead to a national database used for disenfranchisement.
2. Ending Segregation: Latino Action Network v. State of NJ
On February 18, 2026, new evidence was brought before the Appellate Division regarding New Jersey’s schools.
• The Reality: New Jersey remains one of the most segregated states in America. Over 20 school districts are considered "intensely segregated."
• The Lawsuit: Plaintiffs are fighting a 2023 ruling to prove that this segregation isn't just a "local" problem—it is a statewide constitutional violation that denies students their right to a thorough and efficient education.
3. The "New York" Problem: Why NJ is a News Desert
Many of you have asked: "Why is the news always about New York and NOT New Jersey?" There is a systemic reason for this:
• The Media Market Squeeze: NJ is caught between the NYC and Philly markets. Big stations prioritize those cities for ratings, leaving us as an afterthought.
• The Journalism Crisis: New Jersey has only 5 journalists for every 100,000 residents, one of the lowest rates in the country.
• The Final Blow: NJ PBS, our state’s only dedicated public TV station, has announced it will cease operations in July 2026 due to massive federal and state budget cuts.
When our local stations disappear, transparency disappears. When the news only talks about New York, our local officials in Monmouth and Essex can operate without the public eye.
4. Holding Our Officials Accountable
We are calling on these specific leaders to answer for these issues:
• Essex County: We acknowledge Assemblywoman Alixon Collazos-Gill for sponsoring the NJ Immigrant Trust Act (A1400) to protect our neighbors, but we need County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. to ensure this protection is felt in every local department.
• Monmouth County: We call on Assemblywoman Victoria Flynn to address the privacy of our voter data and the growing "news desert" that leaves Monmouth residents in the dark.
A Final Question for You Today:
"If our local news stations are shutting down and our private data is being sued for by the federal government, who is left to tell our story? Do you believe the current media's focus on New York is a deliberate attempt to keep New Jerseyans uninformed about the fight for our basic human rights?"
Please sign, share, and comment your view below. We cannot let New Jersey be silenced.
In solidarity,
New Jersey’s Community
Founder, Petition for Humanity and Human Basic Rights