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AR 85

Supports the federal Emmett Till Antilynching Act.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Gary Schaer

NJ Assembly backs the federal Emmett Till Antilynching Act, urges ongoing anti-lynching laws; symbolic, aims to sway Congress and public opinion.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee
#memorializat #minority
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Bill Summary · AR 85

Comprehensive Summary: AR 85 (New Jersey Assembly Resolution)

Overview

AR 85 is an introduced Assembly resolution in New Jersey that expresses official state-level support for the federal Emmett Till Antilynching Act and advocates for the continued use of legislation to address historical injustices. The resolution is categorized as memorialization and minority-related and was introduced on January 9, 2024. It has been referred to the Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee.

Purpose and Intent

  • The primary purpose is to state unequivocal support from New Jersey’s General Assembly for the federal Emmett Till Antilynching Act, which designates lynching as a hate crime under federal law.
  • It also emphasizes support for ongoing legislative efforts to remedy historical injustices and to address racial violence more broadly through law.

Key Provisions

  • Be It Resolved Clause 1: The General Assembly expresses unequivocal support to Congress and the President of the United States for the Emmett Till Antilynching Act and for the continued use of legislation to address historical injustices.
  • Be It Resolved Clause 2: Requires that copies of the resolution, filed with the Secretary of State, be transmitted to the President and Vice President, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the U.S. Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, and every member of Congress elected from New Jersey.
  • Legislative language frames support within the context of recognizing lynching as a public act of violence historically tied to white supremacy and the ongoing need to address related forms of racial violence through law (as described in the “Whereas” and “Statement” sections).

Background and Context

  • The resolution quotes the NAACP’s definition of lynching and contextualizes lynching as a public act lacking due process.
  • It notes that Congress has historically failed to pass anti-lynching legislation more than 200 times.
  • It highlights the March 2022 enactment of the Emmett Till Antilynching Act, which made lynching a federal hate crime—the first legislation of its kind in over a century.
  • The resolution acknowledges ongoing racial violence and the necessity of continuing legislative responses to historic injustices.

Affected Parties

  • Federal lawmakers (through the expression of support to Congress and the President).
  • The State of New Jersey’s residents and communities affected by racial violence and injustice.
  • Public messaging and civil rights advocacy groups observing state-level endorsement of federal action.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Introduced: January 9, 2024.
  • Status: Referred to the Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee.
  • As a resolution, it does not enact state law or authorize new state spending; its effect is primarily symbolic and aspirational, signaling state-level endorsement and encouraging federal action.

Potential Impact

  • Generates formal political support for the Emmett Till Antilynching Act at the state level.
  • May influence public opinion and encourage ongoing federal legislative efforts to address racial violence and historical injustices.
  • No direct changes to New Jersey statutes or budgeting are proposed.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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