Peter J. Cook

Union County

New York City Metropolitan Area

Springfield

New Jersey

Summit

New Providence-Berkeley Heights

Essex County

Millburn-Short Hills

Cranford

Alexis Tarrazi

Westfield

Maplewood

South Orange

Clark-Garwood

Morris County

Chatham

Scotch Plains-Fanwood

Essex County (Veterans) Courthouse

Stand With the Formosa 2!Oppose Plastic Pollution &amp; Support 2 Activists Arrested at Formosa Plastics Headquarters in NJ!
September 29, 2026Veterans Courthouse50 West Market Street, Newark, NJ(Parking lot entrance off South Orange Ave., Route 510) RSVP here: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/1Cr6G1Tkbh/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.facebook.com/share/1Cr6G1Tkbh/</a>9:30 am:&nbsp;Press Conference/rally&nbsp;at the Rosa Parks Statue, next to the Market Street entrance of the Veterans Courthouse, then head up to the courtroom. Hear Speakers. Sing along with the Solidarity Singers. 10:30 am:&nbsp;Courtroom 1114on the 11th Floor. Appellate Division argument for the case.State v Edwards &amp; Wilson Appellate ArgumentDiane Wilson and Camryn Edwards were arrested on December 5, 2024, after a march and rally, when they attempted to enter Formosa Plastics Corp’s USA headquarters in Livingston, NJ, to hand-deliver a letter to top executives who work there. Those of you who were present saw that on the day of the rally, police cones had been placed on the lawn between the rally and the Formosa Plastics building. The Livingston police threatened to arrest anyone who went past the cones. Argument of their appeal from their convictions for Defiant Trespass in the lower courts will be heard by a three-judge panel of the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court on September 29th at 10:30 a.m. The Court will not render its decision on the 29th but will do so in writing sometime thereafter. Their appeal argues the convictions must be reversed because the prosecution failed to prove the required criminal intent beyond a reasonable doubt. They argue they lacked intent due to their correct belief that everybody has a Constitutional Right to peacefully approach a corporation’s public visitor’s entrance to ask executives whose offices are there to read and consider a letter. The appeal also argues the Police acted improperly by unilaterally setting limits on the property’s use beyond any that had previously been established by Formosa Plastics. Some background about Formosa Plastics and the earlier arrests: Formosa Plastics Group has a long history of violating environmental laws and destroying communities. In Point Comfort, Texas, the Formosa Plastics plant was subject to the largest citizen-brought Clean Water Act settlement in U.S. history and continues to disregard a court-ordered zero discharge of plastic mandate, racking up over 600 violations and counting. In St. James Parish, Louisiana, activists are opposing Formosa’s $12 billion petrochemical complex slated to be built in Cancer Alley. In Ha Tinh, Vietnam, a steel plant owned by Formosa Plastics Group was responsible for a chemical spill that’s considered the country’s worst environmental disaster. After fishing grounds were destroyed, the victims whose livelihoods were ruined have yet to see compensation. Additionally, over twenty activists remain in prison for speaking out on the disaster. The Formosa Four were arrested while blocking entrances to protest against Formosa Plastics, a serial corporate polluter, for more planned plastic expansion and more than 700 new violations of a Clean Water Act settlement that requires zero plastic discharge from its Texas plant into Lavaca Bay. Those new violations added $30 million in penalty payments to the original penalties of $50 million. In August 2024, more than 70 protestors – including clergy, parents, and environmental justice leaders – gathered at Formosa’s U.S. headquarters in Livingston, NJ. Six were arrested and charged with criminal trespass. Four of those six, including Goldman Environmental Prize Winner Diane Wilson (<a href="https://www.goldmanprize.org/recipient/diane-wilson/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.goldmanprize.org/recipient/diane-wilson/</a>), chose to head to trial. They were convicted in Livingston Municipal Court but appealed their conviction. New Jersey Superior Court Judge Arthur Batista issued an important ruling reversing the Livingston Municipal Court’s refusal to allow the necessity and justification defenses. Judge Batista ruled: “It is clear to this court, that these appellants have presented compelling grounds to allow the affirmative defense of necessity - justification to be raised at trial.” Trespassing charges against the Formosa Four were dismissed by a prosecutor after the group had prepared to use the necessity/justification defense to argue that environmental and public health concerns justified their actions. “This dismissal is just another win in the long fight against Formosa Plastics and the damage they continue to do to Texas’s environment and fishing communities,” said Diane Wilson, Environmental Activist and Member of the Formosa Four. “While this decision is a victory, I will not stop taking on this serial polluter that thinks it is above the law, and I will continue to do all that I have to do to protect my community.”

Local Event: Stand With the Formosa 2! Oppose Plastic Pollution & Support 2 Activists Arrested at Formosa Plastic

Livingston

Stand With the Formosa 2! Oppose Plastic...

Stand With the Formosa 2!Oppose Plastic Pollution & Support 2 Activists Arrested at Formosa Plastics Headquarters in...

Stand With the Formosa 2! Oppose Plastic Pollution & Support 2 Activists Arrested at Formosa Plastic

URSB Carteret PAC

Experience an unforgettable night of music with the award-winning country band Lonestar live in concert. Presented by Casper Entertainment Group, this highly anticipated performance is a must-see for all fans of their classic hits and powerful vocals. Secure your seats now for an evening of premier entertainment at one of New Jersey's top performing arts centers.

Local Event: Lonestar

Middlesex County

Carteret

Lonestar

Experience an unforgettable night of music with the award-winning country band Lonestar live in concert. Presented by Casper...

The Wine Barrel

Join us Springfield Avenue Maplewood's Art on Tap Fundraiser, supporting public art and the beautification. Guests will enjoy sampling dozens of local craft beers, canned cocktails, and sangria at this exclusive 21+ event. Enjoy the night out with low-cost childcare available nearby at St. Joseph's Church through a partnership with the South Mountain Y.<a href="https://www.springfieldavenue.com/craft-beer-tasting" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">&nbsp;More info and tickets</a>

Local Event: Springfield Avenue's Art On Tap Fundraiser

Springfield Avenue's Art On Tap Fundraiser

Join us Springfield Avenue Maplewood's Art on Tap Fundraiser, supporting public art and the beautification. Guests will enjoy...

Union College

Join the Cranford Jaycees for a festive evening of beer, food, and live music from The Reflux Capacitors. This community celebration is a benefit for the Cranford First Aid Squad and other local causes, promising a great time for a great purpose.

Local Event: 13th Annual 2026 Oktoberfest

13th Annual 2026 Oktoberfest

Join the Cranford Jaycees for a festive evening of beer, food, and live music from The Reflux Capacitors. This community...

Morristown National Guard Armory

Experience an unforgettable weekend of buying, selling, and trading at this massive event featuring 500+ dealer tables across the weekend and 32,000+ square feet of space. OCTOBER 3 - OCTOBER 4, 2026 10am-5pm BOTH DAYS! 100 GYM BAGS will be given away each day with supplies, packs, tshirts, and other special surprise items. Bags will vary, first come. 
Browse an incredible selection of sports cards, Pokémon, One Piece, memorabilia, and vintage or modern collectibles while enjoying food trucks, giveaways, and a dedicated kids' corner. 
Admission starts at $15.00 Early Access 10am-11am or $10.00 General Admission. Kids ages 10yrs &amp; younger free with paid adult. 
***Please follow us on instagram for admission tickets and use eventbrite link to purchase tickets. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance as well. Cash or Venmo only.&nbsp;

Local Event: MEGA CARD SHOW - North Jersey Card Show at the Morristown Armory

Morristown

MEGA CARD SHOW - North Jersey Card Show at the...

Experience an unforgettable weekend of buying, selling, and trading at this massive event featuring 500+ dealer tables across...

MEGA CARD SHOW - North Jersey Card Show at the Morristown Armory

Join us for a day of furry friends, community, and the opportunity to help pets in need find loving homes! On Sunday, October 4th, we are hosting our 6th Annual Pet Adoption Day (from 11am-3pm) at our Elmwood Park Financial Center at 680 River Drive, Elmwood Park NJ. Five local rescue organizations will be bringing their adoptable pets to the Financial Center parking lot to find their fur-ever homes! There will also be refreshments, food and giveaways. We hope to see you there!

Local Event: Spencer Savings Bank Hosts Pet Adoption Day

Bergen County

Elmwood Park

Spencer Savings Bank Hosts Pet Adoption Day

Join us for a day of furry friends, community, and the opportunity to help pets in need find loving homes! On Sunday, October...

Raritan Valley Community College On ZOOM

Whether you’re looking to start a career in the cannabis industry or simply want to learn more about cannabis, Cannabis Certified is your go-to course!Cannabis Certified covers all entry level plant-touching jobs in the cannabis industry, including entry level cultivation, manufacturing, testing lab technician, and dispensary attendant jobs. This program is open to the public and classes start October 5th!
 Our instructors and their varied industry experience differentiates this class from any other. A core group of instructors present in the area of their expertise, while additional speakers join each module, giving students access to over 10 industry-specific professionals.&nbsp;
Cannabis Certified's 5-Week course is recorded and accessible anytime, re-watch and review classes as much as you need! Join us now to receive your certificate!

Local Event: Cannabis Certified Starting October 5th!

Somerset County

Bridgewater

Cannabis Certified Starting October 5th!

Whether you’re looking to start a career in the cannabis industry or simply want to learn more about cannabis, Cannabis...

Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC)

Catholic Charities Annual Benefit Concert features That Motown Band at UCPAC; 100% of ticket sales support men, women, and children in need regardless of race, religion, or creed. &nbsp;
Put on your dancing shoes and bring your heart to help our fellow neighbors in need! Catholic Charities of the Newark Archdiocese and Carol and Bobby Williams present the 9th Annual Benefit Concert for the Homeless featuring That Motown Band. &nbsp;The show is Saturday, October 24th at 8 pm at UCPAC, located at 1601 Irving Street in Rahway. &nbsp;
If you love&nbsp;My Girl, Ain't No Mountain High Enough, Baby Love, Heat Wave, and Ain't Too Proud to Beg, this is YOUR night!&nbsp; That Motown Band brings the sound of The Temptations, The Supremes, The Four Tops, Smokey Robinson and more to life with a full lineup of powerhouse vocalists and musicians — including soul veteran Garfield Fleming, a longtime member of the Delfonics. &nbsp;
This is more than a concert! It is a night out of fun – singing and dancing! &nbsp;Your ticket turns into shelter nights, food, and help for our NJ neighbors in need. &nbsp;100% of ticket sales support our homeless men, women, and children at our shelters and homes in Jersey City and Newark.
Come for the Motown! &nbsp;Stay because it matters. &nbsp;Invite your friends, make a night of it in downtown Rahway, and help keep the lights on and food on the table for families who have nowhere else to turn. &nbsp; Together we can provide help and hope! &nbsp;
Visit <a target="_blank" href="https://ccanconcert26.givesmart.com/" rel="nofollow noopener">ccanconcert26.givesmart.com</a> for ticket information or call 732-499-8226. &nbsp;For all other questions, call Peter Ruccione, director of development, Catholic Charities Newark Archdiocese, at <a href="tel:973-818-4060">973-818-4060</a>.

Local Event: Motown comes to Rahway Oct. 24 to Help Our Homeless in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union Counties.

Motown comes to Rahway Oct. 24 to Help Our...

Catholic Charities Annual Benefit Concert features That Motown Band at UCPAC; 100% of ticket sales support men, women, and...

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