FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
City
of Plainfield to Hold Major Town Hall Meeting
Plainfield,
NJ - December 1, 2016 - Mayor Adrian O. Mapp responds to mounting concern about
the upcoming change in the country's administration
On
Thursday, December 8, 2016, the City of Plainfield will hold an important Town
Hall meeting at the Senior Citizens Center, 400 E. Front Street 7-9 PM. The
primary goals of the Town Hall are to:
Address
any concerns residents may have about the potential impact to their lifestyle
due to the coming change in the country's administration. Discuss legal and
social implications to this change. Consider what actions can be taken to
protect the rights of those potentially impacted and, what options are
available or will be provided in response to any adverse action.
The
title of the Town Hall is "A Critical Conversation - Questions for a
Changing America." And will be moderated by Ms. Tara Dowdell political
pundit and Principal of The Tara Dowdell Group.
The
panelists are:
Mayor
Adrian O. Mapp, Mayor, City of Plainfield.
Ari
Rosmarin, Public Policy Director, ACLU NJ.
Reverend
Damaris Ortega, Pastor of United Church of Christ Congregational.
Adriana
Abizadeh, Executive Director, Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund.
Christian
Estevez, Latino Action Network.
Todd
Cox, Director of Policy, NAACP Legal Defense Fund
Ashley
Vazquez, Plainfield high school Senior
There
will also be perspective from other elected State, County and Local officials.
Panelists
will prepare with the following guiding questions in mind: Is there a reason
for concern? If so, why? What are the powers or limitations of the Mayor or
Municipality? What can be done locally to protect the rights of potentially
impacted residents (i.e. the undocumented, LGBTQ, Seniors, etc.)? What is the
difference between a Welcoming City and a Sanctuary City? How deep will the
changes be to healthcare and social service programs, and are there options
that communities can take to limit the impact?
Each
panelist will provide focus on the work of their organization, and how possible
changes on the national level will have a local impact. They will share any
strategies their organizations might be contemplating in light of the change in
administration, and how local governments, houses of worship, community groups
and residents can help shape their work around human, economic and civil
rights.
"Our
goal is to provide answers in what may seem to be a time of uncertainty for
many," said Mayor Adrian O. Mapp, "and to ensure that we protect the
rights of every person in our community. These are important and valid
concerns, and it is the intent of my administration to provide as many answers
and resources as we possibly can to address the issue."
Mayor Adrian O. Mapp
City of Plainfield
2017 marks the Ninth Annual MLK Food Drive and Potluck Celebration hosted by First
Lady Amelia Mapp and me. We are proud to once again open our home for this
wonderful event as we honor the legacy of Dr. King. As always, the party will be at our home at 535 West Eighth
Street--click on the flier and print it out. Bring a dish to share for the potluck, and meet and greet your friends and neighbors! 
