Events Calendar

NJ-11 Special General Election: Analilia Mejia For Congress

Thursday, April 16, 2026 — Election Day

Congressional District 11, NJ

NJ 11th for Change has endorsed Analilia Mejia, the progressive candidate who won the February 5 Democratic primary in an upset. The special general election on April 16 is being watched nationally as a bellwether for the 2026 midterms. Volunteer phone banking and canvassing sessions are being organized by NJ 11th for Change and in the weeks leading up to the election. No RSVP is needed to vote; volunteer opportunities require sign-up.

Visit the Sponsor:

NJ 11th for Change: https://www.nj11thforchange.org/

Hands Off! National Day of Action - NJ Locations

Saturday, April 5, 2026 — Most events 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM

26+ locations across New Jersey

A major statewide day of nonviolent protest organized by a broad coalition including Indivisible, the 50501 Movement, ACLU, AFL-CIO, and MoveOn. New Jersey locations include Trenton (125 W. State St., noon), Princeton (Hinds Plaza, noon–1:30 PM), Morristown, Bridgewater, South Orange/Maplewood, and others. Participants are encouraged to wear yellow. No RSVP required at most locations. Trained de-escalators will be present.

For information:

Hands Off: https://handsoff2025.com/

Mobilize: https://www.mobilize.us/handsoff

The evolving carceral landscape in America Conference

April 10–11, 2026 — Starts 1:30 PM

Princeton University, Princeton, NJ

A conference bringing together scholars, activists, community organizers, and justice-impacted individuals to examine the current landscape of incarceration, immigration detention, and policing by ICE, surveillance technology, and rollbacks of legal protections. ACLU-NJ staff will speak on three panels: surveillance and technology (April 10, 2:45–3:45 PM), police violence and drug policy (April 10, 4:00–5:00 PM), and the state of clemency in New Jersey (April 11, 11:15 AM–12:15 PM). Open to the public.

Visit the Sponsors:

Princeton University

ACLU-NJ: https://www.aclu-nj.org/events

Libraries at a Crossroads - Public Forum

April 10, 2026 — 7:00 PM

Cranbury Public Library, Cranbury, NJ

A conversation featuring Amol Sinha, Executive Director of the ACLU of New Jersey, on the role of public libraries in 2026, pressures small libraries face nationally, and how residents can support open access to information. Seating is limited; reservations recommended.

Visit the Sponsors:

Cranbury Public Library Foundation

ACLU-NJ: https://www.aclu-nj.org/events

NJ Peace Action Spring Peace Gathering

Sunday, April 19, 2026 — 2:30 PM to 6:00 PM

First Congregational Church, 40 South Fullerton Ave., Montclair, NJ.

The annual Spring Peace Gathering features keynote speaker Matthew Bolton and covers anti-militarism, immigration, and social justice advocacy. Registration is required.

Visit the Sponsor:

New Jersey Peace Action

Register: https://www.njpeaceaction.org/events/nj-peace-action-spring-peace-gathering

Citizenship, Immigration, and Deportations - Then and Now Lunch & Learn

Thursday, April 23, 2026 — 12:00 PM

Location TBD (check ACLU-NJ site for details)

A public lunch-and-learn featuring Gary Darden, history professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University, covering the history of U.S. immigration policy and comparing past moments of mass deportation to the present. Organized with the Jewish community's historic connection to immigrant rights in mind. Opportunities to take action are included. Open to the public; RSVP likely required.

Visit the Sponsor:

ACLU-NJ: https://www.aclu-nj.org/events

NJ 11th For Change - Ongoing membership meetings and ICE Watch discussions

Dates TBD through spring and summer 2026 — various in-person and virtual events on offer.

Morris and Essex County locations including Montville, Morristown, and Montclair.

NJ 11th for Change holds regular membership meetings covering elections, anti-ICE activism, No Kings rallies, and community organizing. Their February 28 meeting featured an ICE Watch presentation by Karol Ruiz of Wind of the Spirit. Future meetings are expected to continue this focus. The group is also actively opposing the federal government's attempt to lease ICE office space for 40 ICE lawyers at 5 Becker Farm Road in Roseland, NJ. Sign up for their email list to receive meeting notices.

Visit the Sponsor:

NJ 11th for Change (grassroots 501(c)(4), unaffiliated): https://www.nj11thforchange.org/

Wind of the Spirit - ICE Watch and Community Training

Ongoing through 2026 — various dates

2 Green Village Road, Madison, NJ (also at community locations across Morris County)

Wind of the Spirit is an interfaith immigrant rights organization based in Madison, NJ, that offers ICE Watch presentations, know-your-rights trainings, legal rights education, and community organizing support. Their ICE Watch presentation by organizer Karol Ruiz has been featured at NJ 11th for Change meetings and is available to community groups. Contact them to request a training or find upcoming scheduled events.

Visit the Sponsor:

Wind of the Spirit Immigrant Resource Center: https://wotsnj.org/

More info: https://linktr.ee/WindoftheSpirit

Rutgers Center for Immigrant Justice - Legal Observer Training

Date TBD (new session expected — prior session attracted 200+ registrants and was postponed for expansion)

Rutgers Law School, 123 Washington Street, Newark, NJ 07102

Free training in how to lawfully document law enforcement and ICE conduct, support arrested individuals, and protect First Amendment rights during protests and enforcement actions. No legal background is required. A previous session scheduled for July 2025 drew over 200 sign-ups; the center is preparing an expanded version. Watch their Facebook page and website for the announcement of the new date.

Visit the Sponsor:

Rutgers Center for Immigrant Justice (CIJ), Rutgers Law School

Registration (check for new date): https://cij.rutgers.edu/legal-observer-training

Contact: cilpj@law.rutgers.edu or 973-353-3276

Facebook for updates: https://www.facebook.com/CIJ.Rutgers

National Lawyers Guild - Legal Observer Training (NJ Chapter)

Dates announced on a rolling basis

New Jersey and New York metro area

The National Lawyers Guild trains volunteers to serve as legal observers at protests, marches, and other actions. Legal observers document government and law enforcement conduct, support arrested protesters, and serve as a deterrent to misconduct. Anyone can become a legal observer regardless of legal background. NLG provides official neon-green hats to trained observers. Contact the NJ or NYC chapter to join.

Visit the Sponsor:

National Lawyers Guild

More info: https://www.nlg.org/massdefenseprogram/los

NJAIJ - Know Your Rights Training Series

Ongoing through April, May, and June 2026

Virtual and in-person locations across New Jersey

The NJ Alliance for Immigrant Justice presents a six-module Know Your Rights series covering how to identify ICE agents and report sightings, constitutional rights in public and non-public areas, your rights at home and in the workplace, family emergency preparedness, and the Immigrant Trust Directive. Modules are available in multiple languages. NJAIJ also convenes the New Arrivals Network, a training hub and resource clearinghouse for immigrant rights organizations across the state. Anyone can sign up for a training or request that resources be delivered to their community.

Visit the Sponsor:

NJ Alliance for Immigrant Justice (55+ member organizations)

Sign up for training: https://www.njaij.org/kyr

Movimiento Cosecha NJ - Ongoing Organizing and Actions

Ongoing through spring and summer 2026

Elizabeth, NJ and statewide (circles in 10+ NJ cities)

Cosecha NJ is a nonviolent movement fighting for permanent protection, dignity, and respect for undocumented immigrants. The NJ chapter has active organizing circles in Elizabeth, Trenton, and other cities and has carried out local marches, trainings, and community meetings. For 2026 their focus includes opposing deportations, stopping the expansion of ICE infrastructure in NJ, and building economic noncooperation. They plan May Day actions (Day Without Immigrants) as well as ongoing mobilizations. Cosecha operates through autonomous local circles; anyone can join or form a circle with two other people.

Visit the Sponsor:

Movimiento Cosecha NJ

Website: https://www.lahuelga.com/new-jersey

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cosechanewjersey

Action Network page: https://actionnetwork.org/groups/cosecha-new-jersey