Rev. Charles Boyer's quest for justice may have begun with the frequent traffic stops he suffered as a young man crossing the border from Plainfield into one of its suburban neighbor towns. Other than some overnight stays in holding cells, he escaped the fate of many other young black men - prison, where he told an audience Tuesday there are more blacks now than were enslaved in 1850.
"It's the civil rights issue of our day," he said.
Boyer, pastor of St. James AME Church in Somerset, was among speakers at a "Decarcerate the Garden State" event aimed to encourage both awareness and action on the plight of prisoners. He cited racial disparities in drug arrests and harsh sentences to keep prisons full, so companies that furnish food, clothing and transportation could profit in what he called "a multi-billion industry." African-Americans are only 13 percent of the general population, but 50 percent of the prison population, he said.
Sabrina Lytlleton, a co-founder of Keeping Youth and Streets Safe in Plainfield, said she wants to keep her son, 4, from entering the "school-to-prison pipeline."
Schools nowadays resemble detention centers, with armed police officers, metal detectors and uniform-like dress codes, she said. To young people she said, "Why should you get involved? It's your responsibility to yourself."
Steven Hatcher of People's Organization for Progress took issue with church members whose only response to the issue was prayer, and in comments from the audience, two speakers agreed. Boyer also agreed, calling on the church to be both "prophetic and priestly." When Moses said, "Let my people go," he was being prophetic, Boyer said.
"Moses did the prophetic first and then he gave the law."
Father Gideon Uzomechina of Grace Episcopal Church said in his prison ministry he finds young people are lacking love.
"That's why we have the gang issue," he said.
Mark Williams, president of the board at First Unitarian Society of Plainfield, warned that decarceration "brings on problems itself," and said the church will hold an expungement workshop on March 21. Former inmates have a better chance at employment with recent
legislation banning questions on criminal background early in interviews, but expungement clears a person's record.
Bob Witanek, leader of
DecarcerateNJ, called on those present to sign a petition, join the group, contact state and local legislators, and take part in upcoming events and demonstrations. The group's outreach includes print and online newspapers and various forms of social media.
The evening included many other announcements of rallies, marches and discussions. David Rutherford recorded the event for his
Plainfield View blog, so check it for postings later.
--Bernice
