NJ LD-35: Palestinian American Assembly-Elect Alaa Abdelaziz is Fitting Replacement of Benjie Wimberley Sponsor of IHRA Fraud Bill
South Paterson, affectionately known by its nickname “Little Palestine” has the largest concentration of Palestinian community members in the nation and the second highest concentration of Arab community members in the US. As part of NJ Legislative District (LD) 35, It has been represented in the NJ Assembly by a sponsor and a co-sponsor of a bill that legally characterizes the views of most Palestinians as being “anti-Semitic”.
Benjie Wimberley is sponsor and Shavonda Sumter is co-sponsor of A3558 a bill that legally classifies opposition to US policy of using tax dollars to arm and finance Israel and its genocide in Gaza as “anti-Semitic” based upon the fraudulent IHRA construct. Meanwhile their Democratic and Republican colleagues elected to congress and the US Senate vote for the use of US tax dollars to finance the slaughter of Palestinians including thousands of relatives of South Paterson’s Palestinian American community. How they came to support this proposal that is anathema to their own constituents is a mystery that only they can explain.
In 2024, NJ LD-35 State Senator Nellie Pou, with AIPAC and other pro-Israel lobby funding of her campaign was narrowly elected to represent NJ’s 9th Congressional District. It is ironic and fitting that the AIPAC funding that has assisted the elevation of Pou, now has led to the replacement of a sponsor of the harmful A3558 bill with a Palestinian American Alaa Abdelaziz a council member representing Paterson NJ’s 6th. Ward. A definite fact is one of the sponsors of the harmful and dangerous bill is removed as Benjie Wimberley was selected to move over to NJ Senate to represent LD-35 to take Nellie Pou’s soon to be vacated seat so he will no longer be an Assembly member.
To be clear, FigthBackBetter has no direct knowledge of the position of Alaa Abdelaziz on A3558. However we celebrate that Wimberley, one of 3 (soon to be 2) sponsors of A3558, a bill clearly aimed at silencing the voice of NJ’s Palestinian and Palestinian supporting citizens has been replaced by a respected and successful Palestinian American who sits on the Paterson Council.
The selection process when an NJ assembly seat is vacated is that the committee members of the party for the LD affected take an internal party poll selecting from candidates who express interest and have support. In this case Alaa Abdelaziz won 81% of the committee members votes over Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed Khairullah who also sought support to take the seat.
This FightBackBetter Editor believes that the selection of a Palestinian to replace Wimberley is a tacit expression of opposition to the attempt by Wimberley and Sumter to bring legal harm to their own constituents through their support of A3558. Wimberley and Sumter do need to explain to their constituency why they want to bring this harmful affect to their constituency. Wimberley should definitely be challenged if he runs for re-election to hold his newly acquired NJ Senate seat and Shavonda Sumter should be challenged this year by a candidate with a clear vision supporting the rights of Palestinian advocates to criticize Israel and to express themselves culturally and politically without fear of false legal smear.
This FightBackBetter editor openly appeals to Shavonda Sumter: Remove yourself from A3558. If not, minimally, meet the citizens of South Paterson in an open public forum to explain why you are still on the A3558 bill . We call upon LD-35 citizens to rise and find a candidate to challenge her re-election unless she pulls her name from the bill. Mayor Mohamed Khairullah?
Congratulations Alaa “Al” Abdelaziz – this FightBackBetter editor wishes you every success and we call upon you to strike a new path forward for LD 35 that supports and defends the legal rights of a most significant portion of your constituency. Please oppose A3558 and any bill that attempts to legally define criticism of Israel as “anti-semitism” under the guise of the fraudulent IHRA narrative. We are with you in such opposition and at your service to assist any efforts in that regard. We also call upon at least one candidate from LD 35 to step forward to challenge Shavonda Sumter based upon support for NJ’s beloved protected free speech rights and particularly the protection of LD 35 constituents from the tremendous legal harm bills based upon IHRA would impose.
If you are interested in helping the political fight to defend NJ’s beloved free speech rights including our right to cirtiicize Israel and US policy of providing US tax dollars to Israel. please complete this form:
