Racial & Economic Justice

The discriminatory history of our country makes racial and economic injustice inextricably linked. Disparities in wealth, income, access to resources, and other economic opportunities remain based on race and ethnicity, preventing us from attaining racial justice.

Placeholder image

The discriminatory history of our country makes racial and economic injustice inextricably linked. Explicit racial restrictions have prevented people of color from accumulating wealth for centuries, and those racial and economic inequities continue to reinforce each other in ways both overt and subtle.

Disparities in wealth, income, access to resources, and other economic opportunities remain based on race and ethnicity, preventing us from attaining racial justice. Covert and overt discrimination, structural inequality, and implicit biases combine to create unacceptable racial gaps in the criminal legal system, housing, employment, education, health care access, and every other realm of civic life.

The ACLU-NJ confronts these deep sources of inequality with advocacy to ensure that opportunity is not allocated according to race or income, and so that all people have equal access to government resources.

The Latest


News & Commentary
A police car with flashing red and blue lights is parked on a street. The background shows a blurred view of trees and a building at dusk.

Modernizing New Jersey’s Traffic Code Will Improve Public Safety and Promote Racial Justice

Instead of pulling people over for air fresheners and broken taillights, New Jersey should focus its resources on addressing dangerous driving, preventing accidents, and saving lives.
News & Commentary
state house

How We Advocate for Our Communities in the Legislature

Yesterday, we testified on the importance of restricting solitary confinement, reforming parole, and more – but our work isn’t done.
News & Commentary
Library Shelves with Blurred person

A Q&A with John Powell: “Decisions about access to information should be transparent and subject to public scrutiny.”

John Powell is a reference and instruction librarian at Rutgers University’s Paul Robeson Library in Camden.
News & Commentary
The words "Harm Reduction saves lives" in white text against a dark green background.

Harm Reduction Saves Lives

Harm reduction services are public health strategies that minimize the negative health, social, and legal consequences associated with substance use, without judgement.
Legislation
Apr 16, 2026

Eliminate Municipal Public Defender Application Fees (A766/S1670)

A766/S1670 will help create reforms to the criminal legal system that will ensure public defense is accessible and equitable, as the Sixth Amendment promises.