PRINCETON, NJ (September 12, 2019) - On September 17, citizens from across New Jersey will be in Trenton to protest a lawsuit aimed at stopping the State’s new “End Dark Money” law (S-150). Organized by members of Represent New Jersey—the local chapter of RepresentUs, the nation’s largest right-left anti-corruption group—the rally will prominently feature Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker (D-16), the chief sponsor of the new law in the NJ General Assembly.
“We're thrilled that Assemblyman Zwicker will speak at the ‘Protect Transparency in New Jersey’ rally. Since his election to the Assembly in 2015, he has been a strong advocate for common-sense democracy reform, putting people first," said David Goodman, Represent New Jersey chapter leader.
WHO: Represent New Jersey is the local chapter of RepresentUs, the nation’s largest right-left anti-corruption group. Represent NJ Chapter Leader David Goodman has long led the fight for transparency in political spending. Goodman’s recent op-ed, “Reasons to Protest,” underscores the crucial reasons behind the September 17 protest rally.
- David Goodman, Represent NJ Chapter Leader:
- (609) 462-0157 / Davidgoodman382@verizon.net
Other speakers at the ‘Protect Transparency in New Jersey’ rally will be Josh Aciz, National Organizing Director for Wolf-PAC, and Rev. Bob Moore, Executive Director of the Coalition for Peace Action. Other coalition partners include Indivisible Monroe, Indivisible Cranbury, and the Network for Responsible Public Policy (NFRPP).
WHERE: The rally begins at 9:30 AM outside the Clarkson S. Fisher Courthouse, 402 East State Street, Trenton, NJ. Visit the event’s RSVP page for more detailed information.
WHY: The “End Dark Money” law shines a light on secret “independent expenditures” and their sponsors, requiring that any 501(c)4 that receives a donation greater than $10,000 must disclose the source of that donation if it is used to influence New Jersey’s political process. Small, everyday contributors are exempt from the law’s reporting requirements.
The lawsuit brought against S-150 by Americans for Prosperity (AFP) asks a Federal District judge to issue an injunction stopping the clauses that promote transparency of campaign finance spending and reporting.
In a recent statement, the Assemblyman offered insights as to his reasoning for sponsoring the law: “the influence of large donations to organizations that engage in politics is increasing every year and the people of New Jersey have the right to know where that money comes from. Next week, this law will be challenged in court by the group Americans for Prosperity, an organization funded by the conservative Koch brothers,” said Assemblyman Zwicker.
Assemblyman Zwicker is a chief sponsor of the new law, as well as an Assembly bill to bring Ranked-Choice Voting to the Garden State. Defending the law is the Attorney General of the State of New Jersey.
On behalf of 18,000+ members in New Jersey, and more than 3,000 people who signed an online petition, Represent New Jersey volunteers are demanding that AFP “Drop the Suit.” The rally to protect transparency—and the people’s right to know who is spending big political dollars to impact policy in New Jersey—will be held outside of the courthouse.
CONTACT:
David M. Goodman, Represent New Jersey Chapter Leader:
(609) 462-0157 / Davidgoodman382@verizon.net
RESOURCES
The American Anti-Corruption Act
Online Event: Protect Transparency in New Jersey
For more information on RepresentUs and the strategy to unrig the system, visit represent.us.
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RepresentUs is the nation’s leading right-left anti-corruption group, bringing together conservatives, progressives and everyone in between to pass anti-corruption laws in cities and states around the country.