On August 25th at 2PM, City Council will be holding a virtual Special Meeting to amend and finalize the municipal budget. The city has received some criticism for providing less than a week’s notice to the public, so local organizations like Solidarity & Mutual Aid JC are working to make this meeting more accessible for those who cannot virtually attend.

How to participate

After the meeting begins, you can make public comments in real time using their virtual Q&A feature. You don’t need to sign up in advance, you simply have to attend the virtual meeting and ask to make a public comment. Be sure to provide your phone number in your message and you will be contacted when it is your turn to speak.

If you are unable to attend but would like your voice to be heard, Solidarity JC is accepting emails with any testimony to be read on your behalf, along with your name and ward. You can email them with your message or ask further questions at solidarity.jerseycity@gmail.com.

If you are able and willing to attend the virtual meeting on August 25 at 2PM, you can do so at https://jerseycitynj.gov/vcm.

Asking for budget changes re:JCPD

If you’d like to call for the defunding of the Jersey City Police Department, this meeting is the time to share your thoughts! There are three things you can do, as written and shared by Solidarity JC –

Call and tweet at your council member. Ask them to support postponing the vote. Councilmember Solomon is already calling for the vote to be held with more notice at a time when the public can attend. Ask your councilmember to add their voice to his call!

Attend the virtual meeting on August 25. If they move forward with this meeting, we want to flood the city council meeting with people who don’t think the JCPD should operate at their $109 million budget. You can attend the public hearing here. If you want to make your voice heard, you can ask to speak through the chat function. If you provide your name and number, the city clerk will contact you once it’s your turn to make a public comment!

If you are unable to make the meeting but want to have your voice heard, please reach out with any testimony you would like for us to read on your behalf at solidarity.jerseycity@gmail.com. If you feel comfortable, do include your name and ward in your submission.

Share the Defund JCPD petition widely! We are only as strong as the Jersey City residents voicing support for a people’s budget — by us, for us.

You can find more information, assistance, and tips on Solidarity JC’s Instagram – @solidarity.jerseycity