Social Justice
County officials’ criticism of planned Gaza protest undermined free speech, ACLU says
The commissioners said the planned walkout of Camden County high school students last month would have invited anti-Israel and antisemitic rhetoric.
Many states are eager to extend Medicaid to people soon to be released from prison
New Jersey is among the states that has applied to provide Medicaid health care coverage to incarcerated people before their release.
Rutgers students — reluctantly — end Gaza solidarity encampment
Four days after launching a Gaza solidarity encampment, Rutgers University students peacefully disassembled, after securing some demands.
Rutgers students launch pro-Palestinian solidarity encampment to protest Gaza war
Dozens of neon green and white tents were set up at Rutgers University's New Brunswick campus Monday following a pro-Palestine rally.
Prisons yank phone access for thousands of incarcerated people, watchdog says
State correctional officials revoked telephone access for almost 2,500 incarcerated people for disciplinary infractions last year.
White House officials praised Camden’s jail. Women incarcerated there tell a different story
White House officials have praised Camden's jail for its drug-treatment program — but people imprisoned there say conditions are inhumane.
Judge bars county line in June’s primaries, a blow to New Jersey’s party leaders
U.S. District Court Judge Zahid Quraishi to grant order barring ballot design experts say lends party-backed candidates unconstitutional edge.
Gov. Murphy calls for cease-fire in Gaza, while Muslim groups call for a boycott of Murphy
Muslim groups say Gov. Phil Murphy's call this week for a cease-fire in Gaza is "several thousand Palestinian bodies late.”
Incarcerated people still waiting on pay raises promised over a year ago
The governor allocated $2.6M to boost prison wages. But imprisoned people, whose pay has flatlined for 20 years, haven't gotten a dollar yet.
Records shed light on program pairing cops with mental health professionals
Mental illness, substance use, and domestic disputes were common threads in calls under a state program intended to defuse crisis responses.
Use of force incidents high among cops who attended controversial police training conference
More than 70% of the 240 N.J. cops who attended Street Cop's 2021 conference, where instructors glorified violence, have used force since 2020.
Newark mayor and gubernatorial hopeful Ras Baraka calls for cease-fire in Gaza
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka demanded a cease-fire in Gaza, condemning Israel's "clear disregard for human life."