New Generation Of ‘Young Ecosocialists’ In NJ Pick Up The Torch

NEW JERSEY — A torch is being passed to a new generation of “young ecosocialists” in New Jersey.

Recently, the Green Party of New Jersey announced that its Young Ecosocialists Caucus (YES) elected a new leadership board. The six Garden State residents are fighting for systemic change that is “anti-capitalist, anti-oppression and pro-people,” spokespeople said.

This year’s board will consist of a newly elected chair Anthony Samaniego (Lyndhurst, Bergen County), vice chair Justin Roig (Vineland, Cumberland County), secretary Lucas Frau (Rochelle Park, Bergen County), treasurer Alison Farajado (Succasunna, Morris County), communications director Sofia Bari (Montclair, Essex County), and digital media director Hannah Gómez (Somerville, Somerset County).

Green Party leaders offered the following background about each young activist.

NO EMPIRES – “Anthony Samaniego, who is a first year at Seton Hall University, volunteered for Madelyn Hoffman’s senatorial and gubernatorial campaigns as a canvasser, but his current background in activism has merely just begun. In 2020 and 2021, Samaniego created a series of video messages for the YES-NJ Peace Committee advocating for an end to U.S. imperialism. His beliefs include the idea that ‘a stable world is one based upon mutual respect and no empires.’ His passion stems from the understanding of the trauma veterans in his family and nationwide face. He believes that to create a functioning system, systems of corrupt power must step down and look to the interests of the people.”

LONGTIME ACTIVIST – “Justin Roig, Vineland High School senior, is a longtime Puerto Rican-American activist, volunteered for Bernie Sanders’s presidential campaign before turning to the Green Party and joining Madelyn Hoffman’s campaign teams. He has continued to step up from his position last year as secretary to vice chair. He says that ‘Going into the future we want to see how we can use the caucus to help further the change we wish to see, and how to use it as a tool to bring various groups and individuals from across different left spaces in New Jersey.’”

HELP THE MARGINALIZED – “Lucas Frau, is currently a junior at Rutgers University, majoring in both political science and journalism/media. He previously interned in the Hoffman/Warburton gubernatorial campaign by phone banking and producing op-eds. Frau says that he ‘first got involved with the Green Party due to the numerous injustices that are happening across our country as the two major parties refuse to acknowledge them.’ He continues: ‘Democrats and Republicans do not support popular policies that will benefit millions of people such as universal health care, a national minimum wage of $15 or higher, or the Green New Deal.’ His vision for the Green Party is to see the party do more to ‘help those who have been marginalized by the government into unfortunate circumstances.’”

WORK WITH LIKE-MINDED ACTIVISTS – “Alison Farajado, a senior at Morris Hills High School, enjoys studying environmentalism, immigration, and public policy. Her vision for the Young Ecosocialists this year is to leverage her position to work more with like-minded, passionate activists and individuals. She hopes to help YES become a more exciting space for talented youth organizers.”

A PLATFORM OF YOUR OWN – “Sofia Bari, who attends Montclair High School, previously worked on the Hoffman/Warburton governor campaign as the research team leader. She also worked on budgeting and managing intern hours. She expresses that ‘advocating for others and amplifying their voice is the most effective method of maintaining a platform of your own to address a lengthy list of both environmental and humanitarian matters that plague our country today.’ She believes that every person should have a voice and be heard by those in power to make a real progressive social change.”

PUSHING FOR MORE POLICIES – “Hannah Gomez has gained a lot of experience regarding graphic design, and artistry through school and work as a photographer. Gomez plans to study [photography] and animation through college. After being asked how they could make a difference, Gomez said they think that youth can ‘truly make a difference in their communities by pushing for more policies, equitable ones especially, like those proposed by the Greens nationwide.’”

The Young Ecosocialists are the primary representation for youth on the Green Party of New Jersey State Committee as well as the Green Party National Committee.

Anyone interested in joining or learning more can contact yescaucusnj@gmail.com or click here.

• See related article: NJ Green Party Has Inspiring 2020: 'We Can Create A Better World'
• See related article: Green Party Of NJ Youth Caucus Grows In Essex County

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