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Show your support for integrating New Jersey public schools

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Our state is home to hundreds of thousands of children who learn not only from their teachers but from one another. However, New Jersey is the 7th most segregated state for Latino students. This means that Latino students are being denied the benefits of a diverse education—benefits that would be possible if we change state laws and practices that have long stood in their way. Instead, Latino students are kept isolated from students with different ethnic, religious, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

 

That’s why we sued the state of New Jersey. We’ve waited far too long for Latino children to have the education they deserve, so we took this legal battle into our own hands. Right now, we are awaiting the outcome of a lawsuit challenging the State of New Jersey’s horrible laws and practices that have segregated Latino school students based on the geographic regions where they live. Our coalition of students, parents, community members, and civil rights organizations is calling on state leaders to finally integrate New Jersey schools.

You can join us! Sign this petition to #IntegrateNJ schools. Together, we will send a message to our leaders that the time for change is now. In return, we will update you as this lawsuit unfolds and invite you to events and actions in person and online where you can become more involved.

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By supporting this cause, we can assure you that your name will not be shared with anyone outside of the Latino Action Network or the Latino Action Network Foundation.

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Thank you for joining our movement to #IntegrateNJ. Take the next step and share this petition with your friends and family.

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Frequently Asked Questions


What is the Latino Action Network vs. the State of New Jersey?

In May 2018, a coalition of civil rights, faith, and social justice groups, along with individual children and their parents/guardians, filed a lawsuit against the State of New Jersey to end its long history of segregated public schools. 

 

The lawsuit specifically challenges state laws, policies and practices that require students to attend schools in the geographic locations where they live, denying students in lower-income, isolated areas — who are overwhelmingly Black and Latino — access to the benefits of a diverse education. A New Jersey court heard the case on March 3, 2022 and should be issuing its decision soon. 

 

Why is this lawsuit important? 

Research shows that segregation in New Jersey is among the worst in the country and has directly hurt young Black and Latino students in flagrant violation of the law and the State Constitution.

Segregation does not only impact Black and Latino students, but white students, as well. Plaintiffs argue that these students face greater risks of adopting prejudicial views due to the lack of diverse interaction, creating “a two-way system of racial stereotyping, stigma, fear, and hostility that obscures individuality and denies all concerned the recognized benefits of diversity in education.”

 

What does a decision for the LAN vs. NJ case look like?

There are three potential outcomes in which a New Jersey judge could decide whether the state must create and implement a school desegregation plan, hold a trial, or dismiss the case entirely.

 

Who are the plaintiffs?

Plaintiffs include nine young New Jersey residents and their parents/guardians, as well as the Latino Action Network, NAACP New Jersey State Conference, Latino Coalition, Urban League of Essex County, and the United Methodist Church. 

 

Who is representing the plaintiffs? 

Plaintiffs are represented by Lawrence Lustberg and Ethan Kisch of Gibbons, P. C., as well as by Michael Stein and Roger Plawker of Pashman Stein Walder Hayden. 

 

Where can I get more information and the complaint?

For more information and to read the complaint, please visit: https://www.lanfoundation.org/integratenj

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Publications on the LAN v NJ case:

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