Photo by Adrienne J. Romero / SOC Images.
Some Hudson County organizations are giving local creatives a chance to showcase their talent, a Kearny High School student is seeking help from the community plus how one grand jury decision could affect Jersey City.
Here’s what’s happened this week in Hudson County and New Jersey.
This One’s For You Poetry Lovers! Sign Up For The Hudson County Poetry Festival By Tonight!
Come out and discover the poetic community there is in Hudson County.
Yetvart S. Majian will be hosting the second installment of the Washington Park Association’s Poetry in the Park and first WPA Hudson County Poetry Festival.
The event will take place in Washington Park, located at Webster Avenue and Paterson Plank Road under the gazebo, next Saturday, March 29 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. If you’re interested in sharing your poetry, the clock is ticking as applications are due by tonight, March 23; you can sign up here to be a performer and here to be an exhibitor.
Poets performing include:
- @waye_poetry
- @greenspacestudios
- @smushgallery
- @thepoetryunfold
- Hudson County Community College
- Saint Peter’s University
- Staten Island Poets
- @hobokenmuseum
- Golden Light Poetry
- Cozy Open Mic
- @prototypepaterson
- Grantwood Poetry Series
- @mochamicwithmillie
- @jcwriters
- @jcpofest
- @hotgirlpoetrymic
- @poetryandpaintingsnj
- + more!
There will also be art and live poetry from:
Listen Up Local Artists, Show Your Art On West Side
The West Side Partnership is making a call out to all local artists.
The organization is kicking off their “West Side Cares” Art Contest. The pole banner competition is offering a space for artists to “showcase their creativity and community spirit” through the theme of pedestrian safety.
They are seeking artwork that promotes safe walking practices and a “culture of care” including:
- Using crosswalks and pedestrian signals
- Watching for traffic before crossing
- Slowing down in busy pedestrian areas
- Looking out for kids, seniors, and those with accessibility challenges
The winning design will be showcased on the pole banners throughout West Side Avenue in Jersey City and a $500 cash prize. Contestants have until May 15 to submit their design through here.
Anyone with questions can reach out at hello@publicspaces.com and put the subject “West Side Cares” to set up a meeting.
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You Can Help This Kearny High School Foster Child Become Valedictorian
Analyse Armstrong is a senior at Kearny High School with the highest GPA in the school.
Despite her academic accolades, district policy says that she cannot be named class Valedictorian at her graduation.
She is a youth in foster care and faces difficulty with school mobility. In a Facebook group post, she wrote that her school relocation during her junior year was not in her control.
Armstrong attended KHS for her freshman year, half of her sophomore year and her current senior year. However, she didn’t attend KHS for her junior year.
Armstrong highlighted that, “the existing district policy 18A:11-3, which requires valedictory and salutatory candidates to have attended Kearny High School for both their junior and senior years, inadvertently shuts us out from ever reaching for the honors of a valedictorian or salutatorian. It inadvertently undermines the academic achievements of the transient student population.”
She stressed the fact that those with similar backgrounds like foster youth, homeless youth and children of military families are also faced with these hardships.
Armstrong argues that policy 18A:11-3 rewards longevity rather than academic expertise. She says this policy also ignores the ability of students like herself to overcome personal struggles that are out of their control.
You can sign the petition here to help Armstrong’s voice be heard.
Police Will Not Be Charged In New Jersey Activist’s Death
A grand jury decided not to file criminal charges against cops who shot and killed 31-year-old Najee Seabrooks in March 2023 after he called 911 for help during a mental health crisis. Seabrooks was a Paterson community activist and violence interventionist.
The incident started when Seabrooks called 911 to inform them that he was in distress. Officers arrived and attempted to speak to Seabrooks through the door to a bathroom, where he had been in. He told police that “people are trying to kill me, I need an escort.”
Family members reportedly questioned if Seabrooks had smoked something, stating that his actions were out of character. He allegedly had three knives, according to a statement, which he informed the police of, in addition to a gun.
According to reports, Seabrooks began to harm himself with the knives and declined help from police. He eventually left the bathroom at 12:35 p.m. and “approached” the cops with at least one knife in his hands. That’s when two officers, Anzore Tsay and Jose Hernandez, fired their guns and cuffed Seabrooks when he fell.
He was taken to Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in Paterson and was pronounced dead at 12:51 p.m.
Seabrooks’ tragic death and Andrew Washington, who Jersey City police shot and killed in August 2023, have led to extensive protests that continue on today.
In January 2024, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed the “Seabrooks-Washington Community-Led Crisis Response Act,” which has $12 million for grant programs to ensure public health-centered resources and programs for law enforcement.
The grand jury’s decision did leave some feeling frustrated and looking for justice. It’s unclear how this might affect the ongoing demand for justice for Washington in Jersey City.
“Najee Seabrooks should be alive today. We’re deeply disappointed that no police officer will be held accountable for his killing in a court of law,” said Amol Sinha, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey.
Bayonne Announces New Drug Education Program
Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis and Chief of Police Robert Geisler have officially launched the new Law Enforcement Against Drugs program.
The new program, also referred to as LEAD, is meant to have officers educate students on topics like substance abuse, alcohol abuse and bullying in efforts to create a more safe and healthier school system and community.
“Today is a great day in Bayonne as we reintroduce substance abuse education to our children. Formerly, DARE, this new program called LEAD, will partner our outstanding police department with our educators to raise the awareness of the dangers of substance abuse,” stated Davis.
Chief Geiger shared his praise for the new program: “It is important to establish and foster relationships with the youth community and the LEAD program allows us to do just that,” said Geiger.
Know any local news we should include? Email Stella Accettola at saccettola@sliceofculture.com!
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