Coronavirus Car Protest Coming To Newark: ‘Cancel The Rent’

NEWARK, NJ — A national day of car protests aimed at “cancelling the rents” during the coronavirus crisis will include an event in Newark on Saturday, organizers say.

Organizers are planning a vehicle-only “car caravan” in Newark from 10 to 11:30 a.m. near the Newark Historic Courthouse, 470 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Learn more about the Newark event here.

See other national event locations here.

Activists wrote:

“Every working-class person has been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Millions of people have lost their jobs or seen their paychecks cut. In April, 1/3 of people did not pay rent. Many will also make a decision on May 1st between paying rent or saving that money for food, medical needs, and other necessities. The government measures taken so far do not protect tenants for the long term. There is a ‘moratorium on evictions,’ but what will happen when the COVID-19 crisis starts to fade out and we are months late on our rents? There is nothing protecting us from being evicted then. The one-time $1,200 emergency relief for working class and poor Americans is not enough.”

Organizers continued:

“For undocumented people, they do not qualify for this relief. New Jersey also has the highest rate of ICE detainees that have contracted coronavirus. This is a preventable atrocity that we have the power to denounce and demand to free all detainees unconditionally. In a time of such intense struggle and anxiety, it’s important that we stand up for the needs of our people together, while acting with precaution. What better way to raise our voices together while physically separated? Let’s join our voices together by forming a #CancelTheRent caravan in Newark, NJ!”

Organizers added:

“While we and society recognize the First Amendment and the exercise of First Amendment rights as essential, our April 25, 2020 ‘Cancel the Rents’ car caravan will practice the socially responsible regulations outlined in the statewide ‘shelter-in-place’ executive order, including physical distancing and mask-wearing. We believe that we must act now to defend the essential right of all people to housing during and after the COVID-19 crisis.”

• See related article: Protesters Defy Coronavirus Lockdown In Newark, Keep Heat On ICE

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