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Mayor's Message:
Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Month
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Dear Jazz,
May recognizes Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month as a time to celebrate and honor the contributions made to American history, society, and culture by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The demographic that this month celebrates is incredibly diverse, encompassing people from India, Samoa, Vietnam, the Philippines, and much more. Each of these nations hold within themselves several different cultures, ethnicities, religions, and languages. This month is an opportunity to celebrate diversity while coming together to learn more about the AAPI community.
AAPI Heritage Month was first officially recognized by Congress in 1992. The month of May was purposefully chosen to commemorate the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States in May of 1843, as well as the completion of the transcontinental railroad, built mostly by Chinese immigrants, in May of 1869. The transcontinental railroad serves as just one example of what Asian immigrants have provided to this country and how their contributions have helped shape so much of our economic growth.
During the month of May, it’s especially important that we take time to remember and honor AAPI activists and community leaders that are often erased or forgotten from our history.
Fred Korematsu fought the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II and stood in front of the Supreme Court to demand the fair treatment of Asian Americans. More than five (5) decades later, Korematsu advocated against the rise of discriminatory policies impacting Muslims after the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center. Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz fought for the rights of laborers and agricultural workers leading up to the historic Grape Strike and Boycott of 1965 alongside Cesar Chavez. Their activism led to better pay and benefits for millions of Americans. Grace Lee Boggs is just one of the many Asian activists that marched and organized in the Black Panthers movement, even housing Malcolm X when he visited Detroit. Her activism spanned over 70 years as she was motivated by the belief that if people worked together, they could accomplish positive social change.
The collaboration between movements and marginalized people to seek equality has been vital for every social justice issue. And yet, despite all they have contributed, the spike in violence against AAPI people is nothing short of alarming. While heartbreaking displays of violence against people of color often fills our social media and news headlines, there are hundreds of hate-motivated incidents every day in our country that we may never find out about. A survey commissioned by Stop AAPI Hate and conducted by NORC, a nonpartisan and independent research organization, found that half of all AAPI respondents has experienced discrimination. Only one (1) in five (5) who have experienced discrimination have reported it to a person or government entity responsible for taking action. This was mainly because more than one third said they did not know where they should report it. If you want to learn more or report an incident, please visit the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Intelligence Project. So how can we combat this hate besides reporting it when we encounter it? We need to fight ignorance with education. Only together, can we stand strong and put an end to racism.
When hate rears its ugly head into our society and we stand witnesses to discrimination, let’s be agents of change rather than culpable witnesses. Let’s be advocates for justice when those most vulnerable are silenced. The work begins with us. So next time you ask why there is so much hate in our world, ask what you’ve done to dismantle it. This is how we prove we #LovePlainfield, by fighting for a better community for every single one of our neighbors. I wish everyone an educative and wonderful Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
#LovePlainfield #AmoPlainfield
Creating One Plainfield. One Future.
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Mayor Adrian O. Mapp
City of Plainfield
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Mensaje Del Alcalde:
Celebrando el Mes de la Herencia Asiática-Americana y de Los Isleños del Pacífico
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Queridx Jazz,
Mayo reconoce el Mes de la Herencia de los Asiáticos Estadounidenses y de los isleños del Pacífico (AAPI) como un momento para celebrar y honrar las contribuciones hechas a la historia, la sociedad y la cultura estadounidenses por parte de los asiático-estadounidenses y los isleños del Pacífico. El grupo demográfico que celebra este mes es increíblemente diverso y incluye personas de India, Samoa, Vietnam, Filipinas y mucho más. Cada una de estas naciones tiene dentro de sí varias culturas, etnias, religiones e idiomas diferentes. Este mes es una oportunidad para celebrar la diversidad mientras nos reunimos para aprender más sobre la comunidad AAPI.
El Mes de la Herencia de AAPI fue reconocido oficialmente por primera vez por el Congreso en 1992. El mes de mayo fue elegido a propósito para conmemorar la llegada de los primeros inmigrantes Japoneses a los Estados Unidos en mayo de 1843, así como la finalización del ferrocarril transcontinental, construido principalmente por Inmigrantes Chinos, en mayo de 1869. El ferrocarril transcontinental es solo un ejemplo de lo que los inmigrantes asiáticos han brindado a este país y cómo sus contribuciones han ayudado a dar forma a gran parte de nuestro crecimiento económico.
Durante el mes de mayo, es especialmente importante que nos tomemos un tiempo para recordar y honrar a los activistas y líderes comunitarios AAPI que a menudo son borrados o olvidados de nuestra historia.
Fred Korematsu luchó contra el encarcelamiento de los estadounidenses de origen japonés durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial y se paró frente a la Corte Suprema para exigir un trato justo para los estadounidenses de origen asiático. Más de cinco (5) décadas después, Korematsu abogó contra el surgimiento de políticas discriminatorias que afectaron a los musulmanes después del ataque del 11 de septiembre contra las torres gemelas. Larry Itliong y Philip Vera Cruz lucharon por los derechos de los trabajadores agrícolas antes de la histórica huelga y boicot de la uva de 1965 junto a César Chávez. Su activismo condujo a mejores salarios y beneficios para millones de estadounidenses. Grace Lee Boggs es solo una de las muchas activistas asiáticas que marcharon y se organizaron en el movimiento Black Panthers, e incluso albergaron a Malcolm X cuando visitó Detroit. Su activismo abarcó más de 70 años, ya que la motivaba la creencia de que si las personas trabajaban juntas, podían lograr un cambio social positivo.
La colaboración entre movimientos y personas marginadas para buscar la igualdad ha sido vital para todos los temas de justicia social. Y, sin embargo, a pesar de todo lo que han contribuido, el aumento de la violencia contra la gente de AAPI es nada menos que alarmante. Si bien las demostraciones desgarradoras de violencia contra las personas de color a menudo llenan nuestras redes sociales y los titulares de las noticias, hay cientos de incidentes motivados por el odio todos los días en nuestro país de los que quizás nunca nos enteremos. Una encuesta encargada por Stop AAPI Hate y realizada por NORC, una organización de investigación independiente y no partidista, encontró que la mitad de todos los encuestados de AAPI han experimentado discriminación. Solo uno (1) de cada cinco (5) que han sufrido discriminación lo han denunciado a una persona o entidad gubernamental responsable de tomar medidas. Esto se debió principalmente a que más de un tercio dijeron que no sabían dónde debían reportarlo. Si desea obtener más información o informar un incidente, visite el Proyecto de inteligencia del Southern Poverty Law Center. Entonces, ¿cómo podemos combatir este odio además de denunciarlo cuando lo encontramos? Necesitamos combatir la ignorancia con educación. Solo juntos podemos mantenernos firmes y poner fin al racismo.
Cuando el odio asoma su fea cabeza en nuestra sociedad y somos testigos de la discriminación, seamos agentes de cambio en lugar de testigos culpables. Seamos defensores de la justicia cuando se silencie a los más vulnerables. El trabajo comienza con nosotros. Entonces, la próxima vez que preguntes por qué hay tanto odio en nuestro mundo, pregúntate qué has hecho para desmantelarlo. Así es como demostramos que amamos a Plainfield, luchando por una mejor comunidad para cada uno de nuestros vecinos. Les deseo a todos un Mes de la Herencia de los Asiáticos Estadounidenses y de los isleños del Pacífico educativo y maravilloso.
#LovePlainfield #AmoPlainfield
Creating One Plainfield. One Future.
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Alcalde Adrian O. Mapp
Ciudad de Plainfield
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Jefferson Elementary School Celebrates Arbor Day
Friday, April 28th
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On Friday, April 28th the Shade Tree Commission hosted an Arbor Day Celebration for the students at Jefferson Elementary School. Students heard from educators, city leaders, and classmates about the meaning of Arbor Day and the importance of taking care of the environment. Then, all together, everyone present helped plant a tree that will stand strong for many years to come and went home with flowerpots of their own.
Present at this event were members of the Shade Tree Commission, Plainfield Public School District Superintendent Rashon K. Hasan, City Council President Charles McRae, City Council Vice-President Terri Briggs-Jones, Councilman Barry Goode, and Councilman Robert Graham among other city employees.
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UPCOMING CITY MEETING
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Do You Know What's Happening in your City?
Click the Image below and take a look at Plainfield's Latest City Events, Community Resources, and so much more!
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¿ How Do You Show Love for Plainfield? | |
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Watch our 2022 Love Plainfield Commercial!
" The Queen City is Love"
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A MESSAGE FROM
UNION COUNTY:
Union County’s Sensory Friendly Theatre Presents Princess Aurora’s Wedding on May 7th
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- The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce that the New Jersey Ballet will perform Princess Aurora’s Wedding for audiences with sensory sensitivities and their families on Sunday, May 7, at 2:00 p.m. at the Main Stage of the Union County Performing Arts Center at 1601 Irving Street in Rahway, as part of the Commissioner Board’s Sensory Friendly Theatre series.
“Sensory Friendly Theatre provides young audiences and their families with a supportive environment in which to enjoy the enriching experience of live performances. The series is designed for persons with autism and other sensory sensitivities, as part of our efforts to reach out and include all residents in the cultural life of the Union County community,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados.
Tickets are available online for $8.00 per person from the Performing Arts Center, at ucpac.org/sensory-friendly-theatre. For accessible seating, call the Box Office at 732-499-8226.
Princess Aurora’s Wedding is an excerpt from the classic fairy tale and ballet The Sleeping Beauty, with music by the renowned composer by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. This Sensory Friendly Theatre performance includes a storyteller to help bring the characters to life.
Audiences can expect relaxed lighting and sound along with other adjustments and supportive services during all Sensory Friendly Theatre performances. For complete details visit ucpac.org/sensory-friendly-theatre.
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A MESSAGE FROM
THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY:
Governor Murphy Highlights Proposed $10 Million For Firefighter Grant Program
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Continues Support of Local and Regional Firefighter Departments Across New Jersey
PARAMUS – Governor Phil Murphy today visited Paramus Fire Company 3 to highlight his proposed addition of $10 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding for Fiscal Year 2024 to support the continuation of the Firefighter Grant Program, which first launched in May 2022. The ARP Firefighter Grant Program provides funding to local and regional fire departments across New Jersey to ensure firefighters have proper protective, cleaning, and sanitization equipment.
“The firefighters of our state provide an essential service and they deserve to do so with the best equipment the market has to offer. That is why I was pleased to announce an additional $10 million dollars towards the American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grant Program in my proposed budget,” said Governor Murphy. “Our first responders risk their lives daily to make sure our communities are safe and healthy, and this Administration will continue to prioritize their needs to keep them safe while they do their jobs.”
During last year’s round of funding, the Department of Community Affairs’ (DCA) Division of Local Government Services (DLGS) awarded a total of 293 fire departments up to $56,000 to cover the costs of much needed equipment, including:
- protective clothing (turnout clothing ensembles, pants, garments, helmets, hoods, gloves, footwear, etc.);
- cleaning and advanced cleaning equipment;
- oxygen equipment;
- personal protective equipment (PPE); and
- other fire/virus protection equipment as determined to be appropriate by DLGS.
Grant awards were prioritized towards volunteer fire departments, like Paramus Fire Company 3, as well as departments in communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
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A MESSAGE FROM
THE WHITE HOUSE:
Biden-Harris Administration Announces New Actions to Promote Responsible AI Innovation that Protects Americans’ Rights and Safety
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Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is announcing new actions that will further promote responsible American innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) and protect people’s rights and safety. These steps build on the Administration’s strong record of leadership to ensure technology improves the lives of the American people, and break new ground in the federal government’s ongoing effort to advance a cohesive and comprehensive approach to AI-related risks and opportunities.
AI is one of the most powerful technologies of our time, but in order to seize the opportunities it presents, we must first mitigate its risks. President Biden has been clear that when it comes to AI, we must place people and communities at the center by supporting responsible innovation that serves the public good, while protecting our society, security, and economy. Importantly, this means that companies have a fundamental responsibility to make sure their products are safe before they are deployed or made public.
Vice President Harris and senior Administration officials will meet today with CEOs of four American companies at the forefront of AI innovation—Alphabet, Anthropic, Microsoft, and OpenAI—to underscore this responsibility and emphasize the importance of driving responsible, trustworthy, and ethical innovation with safeguards that mitigate risks and potential harms to individuals and our society. The meeting is part of a broader, ongoing effort to engage with advocates, companies, researchers, civil rights organizations, not-for-profit organizations, communities, international partners, and others on critical AI issues.
This effort builds on the considerable steps the Administration has taken to date to promote responsible innovation. These include the landmark Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights and related executive actions announced last fall, as well as the AI Risk Management Framework and a roadmap for standing up a National AI Research Resource released earlier this year.
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HELP US TAKE CARE OF OUR CITY!
DOWNLOAD THE REPORT- IT APP
Available in IOS and Android Mobile Phones
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Exercise your civic duty-- be the eyes and ears of our City! Your reports can greatly increase the quality of life in our Plainfield community. Let's work together to keep our city safe- If you see it, say it with ReportIt. | |
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Use the app, or text
reportit to 63975
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Mayor Adrian O. Mapp and the City of Plainfield are committed to making it as easy as possible to report concerns in our city. To that end, we've partnered with REPORT IT, which is now live in Plainfield and ready to be used as an important supplemental reporting tool.
Report it makes community reporting easier than ever! Residents and visitors can download the app by scanning the barcode above or by going to your phone's app store. Your reports will be submitted to the appropriate City department to be resolved.
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Call us at: 908.753.3015 or
E:communications@plainfieldnj.gov
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|THE CITY OF PLAINFIELD NJ|
515 WATCHUNG AVENUE | 908-753-3310| MONDAY-FRIDAY | 9 A.M.- 5 P.M.|
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Creating One Plainfield. One Future. | | | | |
