35,000 Rally in Trenton to Oppose Christie Budget, Largest Rally In New Jersey History
35,000 New Jerseyans took to the streets in Trenton on Saturday to protest Chris Christie's budget in the largest rally in the history of New Jersey. Coiming together to protest Christie's sweeping and painful cuts while millionaire's are set to receive a windfall tax cut, at least 126 community organizations and unions took part in the unprecedented event. (At top: Thousands prepare for the rally in front of the Statehouse. Photo courtesy CWA Local 1040 Viewpoint).
Veterans, educators, social workers, community activists, firefighters, nurses and clergy joined advocates for women, people of color, children, the working poor, and the environment in calling for elected officials to pass a budget that ensures New Jerseyans share in the sacrifice needed to pull out of the Wall Street recession.
"It is the beginning of a new political movement in this state, one that stands in opposition to the kinds of cruel and unnecessary cuts that are devastating New Jersey," said Chris Shelton, Vice President of CWA District One, speaking at the rally. "One that says to all elected officials — if you want our support, you have to earn it."
More than 30 CWA Locals were represented, with workers from both the public and private sector.
CWA leaders were overwhelmed with the grassroots support from members, and vowed that the rally is the starting point of the fight against Christie, not the end. "That was just the beginning. Now we will work with the 126 groups who sponsored the rally to stop the Toolkit, restore the cuts and continue to support a tax on millionaires and a better budget," Shelton said in an email to stewards on Monday.
Click here for a video of the rally and a picture gallery can be found here. Check back soon for more pictures. You can also read more by clicking here or here.
We need to educate the public. They think by passing a budget will create higher taxes for them and by not it won't. They do not understand what the teachers pay into . The bottom line however is we need to fund the schools another way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!