In January, Newark became the first city in New Jersey to give 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote in local school board elections. It was a major victory for student advocates, who are now building on the momentum to win the franchise in other cities.

While New Jersey has strong legal protections for the right to reproductive autonomy and abortion care, reproductive justice advocates say that doesn’t mean everyone has equal access to abortion—especially those in disenfranchised, low wealth and under-resourced communities and women of color regardless of income level.

It's been a year since Justin Rodwell was detained at Essex County Correctional Facility. Arrested after an incident described in the media as a "mob" attack on police, Rodwell maintains that he acted in self-defense. In the past year, he's missed precious moments with his children: His daughter's first prom and eighth grade graduation, his toddler's first steps. And he is missed by family and friends who continue to call for their loved one's immediate release.

It was emotionally climatic for the small caravan of activists chanting "Justice for Justin" to hear the voice many have not heard for over a year. “I thank y'all for y'all support,” said Justin Rodwell over the phone. “Thank you a hundred percent.”

TRENTON—Despite a ban on racial profiling in policing in New Jersey, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled in January that law enforcement cannot stop people because of their race, ethnicity or gender, overturning the conviction of two Black men accused of robbing a 7-Eleven in 2011. The incident highlights the issue of racial profiling in law enforcement.

Nationally, low-income families face deep inequality, low wages, collapsed jobs and more. These families braced the economic consequences of the global pandemic and now prepare for the impact of inflation. According to the Poor People’s Campaign, “Rising inequality is associated with slower overall economic growth and more persistent poverty.”