NJ LD-35 (Paterson) Call to Action: Unseat Assembly Members Pushing A3558 that Includes Fraudulent IHRA Definition of “AntiSemitism”
The Bergen County municipalities of Elmwood Park and Garfield and the Passaic County municipalities of Haledon, North Haledon, Paterson, and Prospect Park are all part of NJ Legislative District 35.
South Paterson is a neighborhood in Paterson known as “Little Palestine.” With a population over 25K, it is home to the largest Palestinian American enclave and the second largest Arab concentration in the USA.
You would think then that the LD-35 representatives of Paterson in the NJ Assembly would be defensive and supportive of the protected free speech rights of this community.
Meet Assemblyman Benjie E. Wimberly (D). He is currently the Speaker Pro-Tempor in the NJ State Assembly. He represents LD-35. Also meet Assemblywoman Shavonda E. Sumter (D) who also represents LD-35.
Asm. Wimberley is a primary sponsor and Asw. Sumter is one of numerous co-sponsors of NJ Assembly bill A3558 https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A3558 .
To her credit Sumter did indeed support a cease fire resolution in 2023 – a purely sy,mbolic measure but that does not excuse the harm she is doing now with support for this repressive measure.
A3558 is attempting to dictate the “IHRA” false definition of antisemitism fraudulently including criticism of Israel as “antisemitism”. If these two assembly members representing South Paterson are successful in passing this sweeping repressive legislation it will lead to false accusations of anti-Semitism targeting much of the population concentrated in their own Legislative District 35 – their own voters and supporters!
Most of the South Paterson community rejects the pro-Israel narrative that underpins US support for a genocide of the Palestinian people. Some estimates now suggest over 300 K have been killed in the last 14 months. The passage of this bill will provide framework for private lawfare action, government legal action and police and military engagement in the repression of Palestine solidarity and advocacy. Wimberley and Sumter are leading the effort to criminalize their own constituency.
FightBackBetter is working with advocates and prospective candidates to challenge all 80 Assembly seats that are up for a vote in 2025. We are taking this action to defend our communities from the threat of the repressive measures that will be implemented upon the passage of A3558. LD 35 is THE MOST IMPORTANT legislative district for two reaons:
A. Because of the concentration of the most significant pro-Palestine community in the state of NJ
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B. Because the two current Assembly representatives are leading the charge toward the attack on this community.
We need to find two very strong candidates committed to a full scale challenge on behalf of this most affected community. We ask for the community to help figure out the best way to put this challenge forward. You can use the form below to indicate if either you might be interested in running for one of these seats, you are willing to help a candidate who would run or you would sign the petition for the candidates to challenge Wimberley and Sumter.
It is time for South Paterson to flex its political muscle – to pick two strong candidates to lead a fight to challenge these two assembly members who are betraying their own voters, their own citizens in their support of the fascist A3558. It is time for us to converge and unify to protect and defend our children, families, communities and partners in struggle.
WANT TO RUN, HELP OR SIGN PETITION TO CHALLENGE ASSEMBLY SEATS? PLEASE COMPLETE FORM:
