SOMA Action Blog
How SOMA Action Led the Way to South Orange’s Sanctuary City Resolution
Today, SOMA Action is proud to claim close to 2,000 members and dozens of accomplishments. But one of the group’s most meaningful successes happened mere weeks after its founding, when membership had yet to reach 200. That’s when SOMA Action spearheaded the effort that led South Orange to pass a Sanctuary City Resolution on February 13, 2017…
Member Spotlight: Michael Paris
Get to know one of SOMA Actionj’s earliest and most active members, Michael Paris.
Women Share Their Stories at 2nd Multicultural High Tea
Nearly 100 women took part in the Women’s Multicultural Tea II, a virtual event sponsored by SOMA Action.
July 4th Violin Vigil Honors Elijah McClain
More than 200 people gathered in Maplewood’s Memorial Park for a Violin Vigil in honor of Elijah McClain. Organized by Barbara Velazquez of the SOMA Action Racial Justice Committee, the event featured speeches by local political leaders and activists and performances by local musicians.
Action Update w/o 6/29/20
Click here to see this week’s remote actions.
7 Reasons Why Freeholder Elections Matter
With 2020 primary elections fast approaching in New Jersey (July 7!), you may be wondering not only who should get your vote for Essex County’s Chosen Board of Freeholders, but also what, exactly, a freeholder is.
You’re not alone. In fact, if you’re not a native New Jerseyan, you may have never even heard of a freeholder before. As NJ Spotlight points out, the Garden State is the only state in the U.S. that still uses the term instead of the more common “county commissioner.”
That’s why SOMA Action put together this brief overview of what freeholders are and why their role is so important…
SOMA Action 2020 Democratic Primary Endorsements
South Orange/Maplewood NJ -- SOMA Action is a progressive grassroots organization located in South Orange-Maplewood. This year, SOMA Action’s sustaining members have voted to endorse several candidates in the 2020 Democratic Primary for Freeholder, an Essex County position. All voters in Essex County may vote for up to four Freeholders at Large. Through a survey sent out to SOMA Action’s sustaining membership, sustaining members voted to endorse Anthony Diaz, Sabre Burroughs, and Simone Jelks-Bandison running for Freeholder-at-Large, and Jennifer Larsen running for Freeholder of District 4, which includes Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Livingston, Millburn, North Caldwell, Roseland, Verona, West Caldwell and West Orange.
The full results are available here.
Weekly Actions w/o 6/15/20
Click here for this week’s options for action.
A Pregnant Moment in Time
by Barbara Velazquez, Co-Chair, SOMA Action Racial Justice Committee
These last two weeks have been tough for our nation and around the world. We’ve seen the pictures, we heard “I can’t breathe” uttered yet again as we watched in horror as George Floyd’s death unfolded before our very eyes. We have seen marches held in all 50 states and may even have participated in a few. Protests in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Africa all paid homage to a previously unknown black man who met a sad and brutal death in America. The death of George Floyd has shaken the world. The protests, the speeches, the rage, the fires. All indelibly impressed into the global consciousness.
The world is listening and watching. So how are we going to use this moment…
2020 Primary Candidate Questionaire Results
SOMA Action is pleased to share our candidate questionnaires for the Democratic primary election on July 7th. Thanks to all of the candidates who responded.
This year, due to concerns about Covid-19, registered Democrats and Republicans will be sent a ballot to vote by mail. A limited number of polling places will be open for those who cannot vote by mail to vote provisionally. Unaffiliated voters will be sent an application to vote by mail…
Action Update: Week of 6/8/2020
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Making a Difference in LD26
SOMA Action was founded on a belief that change starts at home, but in 2019, the group took an important step--politically and geographically--toward affecting change next door. That’s when the organization handed out two of its first-ever endorsements to campaigns situated outside South Orange-Maplewood’s electoral borders. Christine Clarke and Laura Fortgang were running to unseat two GOP Assemblypersons representing New Jersey’s 26th District, an area that ends just a few miles northwest of SOMA.
Spoiler alert: Clarke and Fortgang did not win. But their campaigns exemplified the continued need for strong…
SOMA Against Hate Collective Statement in response to racist attack on 5/8/2020
The members of the SOMA Against Hate Collective were incensed by the racist incident that occurred almost a month ago in South Orange. On Friday, May 8th, Maplewood resident C.J. Burgess came to assist her father, Aubrey Burgess, with his stalled car outside of his business on South Orange Avenue. As C.J. was in the process of jumpstarting Aubrey’s car, Ryan Pogany drove up and began berating them for blocking his ability to make deliveries for Bunny’s restaurant, where he is employed. His tirade escalated from profanity to xenophobia, as Pogany told Aubrey Burgess…
Climate Committee Helps Lead Fight to Save Reservation
In February, SOMA Action joined forces with 20 other organizations to form the Coalition to Save South Mountain Reservation. The initial impetus was to stop planned construction by Essex County of an $8.5 million amphitheater on 2 acres outside the current southern boundary of the Turtle Back Zoo. This is just the latest part of the County’s draft Master Plan that calls for a total of 10 more acres to be destroyed in pursuit of for profit amusements. Public opposition has been extensive and yet the County has not budged on its plans. Spending millions of dollars in taxpayer money…
Member Spotlight: Diane Simmons
When and why did you get involved with SOMA Action?
I joined after Trump's election. At first, I didn't know what to do. I was writing random letters to Democrats in Congress, begging them to do something. I think I was afraid that Trump would just be accepted.
After SOMA Action’s early, standing-room-only meetings, I began to feel better, that we could fight this thing together. Our successful efforts in flipping NJ Congressional districts convinced me that this was true--if we could get enough people out there…
SOMA Action Events w/o 6/1/20
Click here for our weekly action update, listing the ways you can make a difference this week.