The New Jersey Right to Life held a rally at the State Capitol in Trenton, NJ, to protest New Jersey’s abortion laws.

“We were at the statehouse,” Robert Bluta, a resident from Lawrenceville, NJ, explains. “There were civil speeches from different politicians, different activists, different people in the movement, and after that we walked down to planned parenthood, where they killed babies and we peaceful and prayerfully protested there.”

The protest was in solidarity with the March For Life happening next week at the United States Capitol. The event started at 11 AM and ended around 2 PM.

Anna Grinienko, a resident from North Jersey, explains the rally was protesting the New Jersey Senator’s newest bill, senate the Reproductive Freedom Act.

“That we in New Jersey should stand against the very terrible bill that we have right now which will expand the right for abortion in our state. “Grinienko explains.

The bill explains that this bill is primarily to protect women’s rights to choose.

“Access to safe and legal abortion care is essential to women’s health, autonomy, and privacy and is central to the ability of women to participate equally in the economic and social life of the United States and the State of New Jersey.” The Bill states.

The group had people join from all across the state, holding signs asking the governor to repeal the state abortion laws. At the moment, New Jersey has one of the least restrictive laws applying to abortions. The law allows for an abortion during any time of the pregnancy.

According to Statelaws.findlaws.com, “Abortion providers in New Jersey, however, must comply with some limited restrictions. For instance, the procedure must be performed in a hospital or other specialized facility; services provided after the 14th week must be provided in a “licensed hospital,” and providers offering services after the 18th week must have admitting and surgical privileges within 20 minutes driving time of the facility.

Though according to Planned Parent on their website, “It can be harder to find a nurse or doctor who will give you an abortion after your 12th week of pregnancy…You can get an abortion later than 24 weeks only in rare cases for medical reasons.”

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Trenton, NJ ( Mercer) Trenton firefighters and Trenton Ems and Capital Health Paramedics responded to the call for help just after 10: A.m. after a wall fell on a Trenton city employee trapping the man on the 400 block of Farragut Ave and Oakwood Alley a resident nearby pulled the man out and called 911. Trenton firefighters removed bricks off the man and he was later transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center with serious injuries.

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Gusciora
News Release

Jan. 21, 2021

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Mayor Gusciora to Veto City Council Ordinance Creating Separate Legislative Counsel Position

Trenton, N.J. – Mayor. W. Reed Gusciora today gave the following statement announcing his intent to veto City Council Ordinance 20-60, which seeks to create a new Legislative Counsel position in Trenton government that replicates many of the powers and responsibilities that already fall under the City Attorney:

“To put it simply, this ordinance clearly violates the Faulkner Act, which outlines the separate powers of the Council and Mayor, the latter of which appoints the City Attorney per statute. And despite repeated warnings from the City’s Law Department that this effort was illegal, it still passed by a 4-3 vote.

As Judge Jacobson already ruled in McBride v. Gusciora in May 2020, ‘the Council has limited authority under the Faulkner Act, and cannot, on their own, appoint counsel to represent them.’

So why are we treading back down this path? We share Council’s concerns for unnecessary legal fees. But understand that we are bound to uphold municipal law and would have no other choice but to oppose this ordinance in court. This ordinance would in effect create a separate law department that would be a waste of taxpayer dollars. 

When I heard that Council President offered an ‘Olive Branch’ to the administration, I was hopeful that it was out of a sincere desire to better cooperate moving forward. I’m still hopeful that is the case. But this ordinance is not an olive branch: it’s a thorn bush.

As such, I will veto this ordinance to spare us more legal battles, so we can focus our renewed cooperation on the major issues affecting our community, including crime, economic development, and COVID-19.”

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Tom Gilmour, Executive Director of Trenton Downtown Association (TDA), has announced his retirement, effective January 31, 2021. Patricia Hall has been appointed TDA’s Interim Executive Director by its Board of Directors.For the past four years, Mr. Gilmour has led the organization’s expansion and played an instrumental role in promoting the city of Trenton as a great place to work, live and visit.

During his tenure, TDA created a desirable environment to attract developers and new businesses to the capital city. Under his leadership, the organization expanded their innovative arts programming and provided much-needed funding to local businesses during the coronavirus pandemic. Mr. Gilmour also served as the Chair of the Princeton-Mercer Convention & Visitors Bureau and was a member of Greater Trenton’s Advisory Committee.

“I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with some amazing professionals in Trenton and am very proud of the work the TDA staff accomplished during my tenure,” says Mr. Gilmour. “While I am sad to be leaving, I am also confident the organization is poised to move ahead with many new initiatives.”

Patricia Hall brings extensive nonprofit leadership experience to her position as Interim Executive Director. She most recently served as Director of Operations at the Trenton Free Public Library, where she worked for 33 years. During that time, she restored the library as a vital city entity offering more than 30 programs. A graduate of Villa Victoria Academy and Argosy University, Ms. Hall has served on several boards, including TDA’s, and has been active in the community for many years.

“I am determined to lead TDA during this transition, assuring that the organization remains true to its mission to strengthen downtown Trenton by promoting and supporting its businesses and residents,” adds Ms. Hall.

Narrative from TDA Press Release

Trenton, NJ (Mercer) – In remembering the life of the great Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and due to a very generous donation by NFL player, Jordan Howard of the Philadelphia Eagles, the Association of Black Women Lawyers honors local community members through their Community Outreach Committee’s MLK Day of service initiatives.

This year, the committee honored: Ester Bell, who recently lost her husband Mark to COVID 19 while she was battling the virus herself; Sonia Eleazer, an adult group home worker; Lisa Clegg, an EEG Technician; Anjanette Morgan and Tina Harris, Registered Nurses; Uzziah Daniel, Ewing HS Student accepted to Howard University majoring in Biology; Dayelline Estrada-Britton, a freshman at Case Western Reserve University majoring in Cognitive Science & Psychology; Willie McCoy, Wendy’s Drive Thru Manager; Raymond L. Farmer, pharmacist; Colette Wade, group home manager; Melissa Cepeda, foster parent and Eloise Anderson, church and community volunteer.

Recipients received the following:

• $100 TD Bank gift cards for ten front liners and residents throughout NJ who have been significantly impacted by COVID-19, including children who have lost a parent to the virus along with front line workers who have taken extraordinary measures to help others during the pandemic.
• $1,000 donation was made to 11 families serviced by Eva’s Village in Passaic County in conjunction with the NJSBA, Child Welfare Section. The Child Welfare Section donated an additional $500 to the families for a donation totaling $1,500.
• $500 donation was also made to the Young Scholars Institute in Trenton, NJ for distribution to YSI alumni who are current college students in need.
• $500 donation was made to the food bank of Mercer Street Friends in Mercer County.

NBWL-NJ, President Marsetta Lee, Esq and committee members Sherry L. Wilson, Esq. & JoEllyn Jones, Esq., along with the association members, are grateful for the generous donation as well as the opportunity to be a blessing to so many during these difficult times.