ACLU-NJ Responds to Gov. Murphy’s Final State of the State Address

Following Gov. Murphy’s final State of the State Address, ACLU-NJ Executive Director Amol Sinha issued the following statement:

“As Governor Murphy said during his final State of the State address, the last eight years have been marked by landmark progress made toward building a stronger and fairer New Jersey brimming with opportunity for all. And they have also been marked by unprecedented attacks on our rights and liberties.

“Together with our partners, we’ve worked with Gov. Murphy and his administration to achieve extraordinary milestones during his tenure. In that time, New Jersey has reduced our prison population by record numbers, set forth and executed the nation’s most ambitious clemency agenda, legalized cannabis in a way that centers racial and social justice, and enacted new protections to safeguard reproductive freedom, advance immigrants’ rights, and achieve fairer elections – just to name a few. We’ve done this together, in unprecedented times, including the attacks on our rights from the two Trump administrations, the COVID-19 pandemic, and a racial justice reckoning that has been ongoing for generations and continues today.

“Historic achievements, especially during challenging times, are only possible with open lines of communication between community members, advocates, stakeholders, and a government that understands that progress demands both fierce disagreement and constructive dialogue. As with past administrations, we have disagreed with the Murphy administration across many issues, including most notably on legislation that weakened the Open Public Records Act. However, it’s our collaboration, values-driven approach, and constant belief in a better New Jersey for all that defines our relationship with Gov. Murphy and his administration.

“I am grateful for Governor Murphy’s leadership, his collaboration, and his friendship over the past eight years. And as the Governor said, our work remains unfinished. New Jersey has more to do to make it an even stronger, fairer, and more just state that works for all people, and we look forward to continuing our pursuit of justice.”