Coronavirus Spurs North Jersey Socialists Into Action | Newark, NJ Patch – Newark, NJ Patch

NEWARK, NJ — The new coronavirus has cut a path of tragedy across the Garden State, leaving tears and sorrow in its wake. But it’s also been a call to action for many community groups, including the North Jersey chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).

Since the virus began to spread, the North Jersey DSA has been putting together donations of food and supplies to several communities across the state, including residents of Newark. Meanwhile, its members have continued to push for social justice issues that have been lent a special urgency by the virus, such as the release of federal immigration detainees.

Here are three ways the group has been active since the outbreak.

CAR CARAVANS

With the need to stay safe amid a viral outbreak in mind, North Jersey DSA members have thrown their support behind “car caravan” protests, such as the one held on April 25 in support of the #CancelTheRent campaign.

Its members were also involved in last month’s vehicle-only protest in Newark, which saw about two dozen cars repeatedly circle an ICE office on Broad Street and the Essex County Correctional Facility.

The protest – which observed social distancing precautions – was held to demand the release of all federal immigrant detainees imprisoned in the Garden State during the coronavirus crisis.

“This is an urgent matter of life and death,” North Jersey DSA member Whitney Strub recently told Patch. “New Jersey is at the epicenter of the COVID-19 crisis among immigrant detainees, and our Democratic political machines seem more interested in continuing to profit from the Trump/ICE detention and deportation apparatus than saving lives.”

Story continues below

PHONE ZAPS

The group has continued to keep the pressure on state and county officials in North Jersey with “phone zaps,” events where dozens of volunteers make calls to advocate for the release of ICE detainees amid the coronavirus crisis.

They have also called for officials to resolve “public health concerns” in New Jersey’s jails and prisons, including a reported lack of personal protective equipment and COVID-19 testing.

Recent actions include an event on May 1 – otherwise known as May Day – where North Jersey DSA members ran a phone zap on officials including New Jersey Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo and Essex County Freeholder President Brendan Gill.

FOOD DELIVERIES

The North Jersey DSA has also been helping people in the community to stay fed and get needed supplies during the outbreak.

In Newark, volunteers have reached out to almost two dozen local households, delivering payloads of groceries at a much-needed time.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Don’t forget to visit the Patch Newark Facebook page. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Sign up for Patch email newsletters.