New Jersey Assembly Bill AR85

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Supports the federal Emmett Till Antilynching Act.

Impact

By expressing support for the Emmett Till Antilynching Act, the New Jersey Assembly indirectly seeks to influence local and national discussions surrounding hate crimes and racial violence. The resolution aims to highlight that even with the recent passing of federal legislation making lynching a hate crime, there remain numerous other forms of racial violence that require legislative attention. The Assembly’s stance reinforces that state governments can play a pivotal role in fostering discussions about race and justice, while also showing solidarity with federal efforts to combat hate crimes.

Summary

Assembly Resolution No. 85 supports the federal Emmett Till Antilynching Act and seeks to affirm the importance of legislative action to address historical injustices. This resolution comes as a response to the longstanding issue of lynching in America, historically used as a method of racial violence and intimidation, primarily against Black individuals. The act honors Emmett Till, a 14-year-old boy lynched in 1955, whose tragic death symbolized the struggle against racial injustice in the United States. The resolution underscores the necessity of confronting historical and ongoing racial violence through continued legislative efforts.

Contention

The Assembly's resolution does not encounter direct opposition in the text; however, it can be inferred that the historical neglect towards anti-lynching legislation over the years indicates a contentious landscape in addressing race-related legislation. With Congress previously failing to pass such legislation over 200 times, there may be continuing challenges and differing opinions on the effectiveness and necessity of such measures. The Assembly's acknowledgment of the inadequacies in addressing other forms of racial violence further suggests that ongoing dialogues will be needed to confront these issues holistically.