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The ACLU of New Jersey has been working diligently to raise awareness of the devastating impact of harsh school discipline. In October 2007, they organized a conference, “Race Still Matters”, in which approximately 200 community members attended a workshop solely devoted to the issues contributing to the “schoolhouse to jailhouse track.” The workshop is part of the ACLU-NJ’s effort, through community outreach and education, to actively inform and engage its community about the devastating impact of harsh school discipline.

Later, in Spring 2008, the National ACLU produced a Freedom File television series which featured one segment entitled “Freedom to Learn: School to Prison Pipeline.” Building on the interest in the issue in New Jersey, the ACLU-NJ hosted screenings of the film and panel discussions with members of the community in Newark, Patterson, and Elizabeth. The events helped inform the community, and allowed the ACLU-NJ to receive feedback on how these problems were affecting each community.

Future screenings of the film are scheduled for Perth Amboy and Camden. The ACLU-NJ intends to continue the screenings across the state and hopes to expand its conversations so that they spark a community-led campaign ultimately resulting in tangible policy change in the future.

Resources:
Video, Freedom Files – Freedom to Learn, School to Prison Pipeline, http://aclu.tv/pipeline

For more information, contact:
Jeremiah Grace
American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey
Post Office Box 32159

Newark, NJ 07102
T: 973-642-2086
[email protected]
www.aclu-nj.org