Civil Rights Groups to Hold Congressional Debate May 1

NEWARK – The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey (ACLU-NJ), along with seven allied organizations in the Garden State committed to furthering civil liberties and civil rights, will host a congressional candidates debate at on May 1, at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton. The debate will begin at 7 p.m. and feature all five Democratic and Republican candidates running for the state’s 12th district congressional seat.

NJTV Anchor Mike Schneider will moderate, probing primary candidates for their perspective on the leading civil liberties and civil rights issues of the day.

Rep. Rush Holt will be retiring from his congressional seat this year. This is the first time the ACLU-NJ has hosted a candidates’ debate. It will be the only debate in the course of the 12th congressional district race dedicated solely to civil liberties and civil rights issues.

“The next representative from the 12th Congressional District will need to make decisions on critical civil liberties and civil rights issues facing our state and nation,” said Udi Ofer, executive director of the ACLU of New Jersey. “Congressman Rush Holt has been a champion on these issues in Congress, particularly in the post-9/11 era, where government has been all too willing to needlessly sacrifice civil liberties in the name of national security. We felt that it was important for residents in the 12th District to learn firsthand where the candidates stand on the pressing civil liberties and civil rights issues of today.” The other sponsors of the debate are the American Friends Service Committee, Council on American-Islamic Relations New Jersey, Drug Policy Alliance New Jersey, NAAPC NJ State Conference, Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund, YWCA Princeton and YWCA Union County.

THIS EVENT IS "SOLD" OUT!