Today we went through Orange and East Orange, New Jersey. We've been joined by a van and many members of New Jerusalem and the Kensington Welfare Rights Union. At various parts along the route, we stopped and divided into two groups to walk through the neighborhoods. We were able to talk with many people about the March for our Lives. We are hoping some of the local churches we have talked to will be able to organize buses up to NYC for the march on August 30th. Many people hope to attend the march but are limited by transportation, so organizing for their trip is a difficult but important step.

While talking with people in the neighborhoods we also documented any violations of their economic human rights that they have suffered. At a public housing complex near Belleville, we spoke with many people whose rent varied depending on their income, which made their houses 'affordable'. However, many of these houses were inadequate for the families that live in them and located far from the economic centers of town. Many people explained to us that they have troubles finding a living wage job-despite having 'affordable housing' and very few people had health care.

Throughout Newark and Orange we have seen many abandoned buildings. There are tall buildings downtown and huge apartment complexes, duplexes, and single-family homes throughout the area that are boarded up and abandoned. Many look ravaged by fires or simple left to rot despite being formerly luxury housing. As we talk with people about the lack of affordable housing, seeing these buildings closed to use is horrible.

In the evening, we met Father Carlos Vega who is a pastor at St Johns Roman Catholic Church. He told us about the efforts at St Johns to outreach to the community, having services for Spanish, Haitian, Tagalog, and English-speaking Catholics. They have also opened a chapel to allow 24-hours a day access to the sacraments.

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