In January, New Jersey won $15 by 2024 impacting 1 million workers. Make the Road New Jersey (MRNJ) and allies organized to secure this victory for workers. When it appeared that youth would be excluded, they mobilized more than 150 young people over 10 weeks this summer to get 6,000 petition signatures for a clean minimum wage bill. They built organizing committees of low wage adult and teen workers and fostered truly intersectional alliances among youth across gun control, immigration, and worker rights, as well as combined direct action and a strong social media game with traditional canvassing.

True momentum led to MRNJ leader, Giovana Castaneda, introducing Governor Murphy for the bill signing. The leading headline from this fight is the power of youth organizing and ability to set a bold economic justice agenda. Congratulations to MRNJ for this monumental win for our communities!