Happy Anniversary, New Jersey!
Remembering the Battle of Trenton 2.0
"Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has." ~ Margaret Mead
Four years ago today, we fought for our kids and won.
From December 12, 2019 through January 13, 2020, thousands of New Jersey parents showed up in Trenton - sometimes standing outside in the freezing cold for hours and well into the evening - to fight to preserve the state’s religious exemption from an ever-growing list of vaccinations required to attend schools and day care.
Peaceful protests throughout the week beginning January 6, 2020 remain among the largest in state history. Those of us who showed up affectionately call that period the Battle of Trenton 2.0.
This video still gives me chills.
But that victory was preceded by a LOT of uncertainty.
There were faith-shaking moments and discouraging glimpses of how the sausage is made.
We watched then Senate President Sweeney swap out members of the Senate Health Committee - replacing representatives who had listened to informed parents and were prepared to oppose the bill - and sat in horror as he gave himself a deciding vote to ensure the passage of S2173 through committee.
We learned about the special treatment and coaching provided to doctors and representatives of special interest groups who came to support the bill.
(Dr. Liam Schubel describes the preferred parking, accommodation and coaching provided to doctors who came to support 2173)
(Here’s a staffer explaining the arrangements that Senator Joe Vitale had made for his guests who came to testify.)
We witnessed the rigging.
We observed the strong-arming and the perversion of due process.
Small victories were short-lived and that bill kept resurfacing.
We were told again and again that it was hopeless… that, despite our best efforts, nothing could stop what was coming.
Goliath was too big. Our mission was impossible. It was a forgone conclusion.
We kept showing up anyway.
And we refused to leave.
This is the moment thousands of New Jersey parents learned that their efforts had paid off. (Listen to the voices outside. They’ve been out there for over 10 hours.)
Wait for it…
If you were there, you will never forget how that felt.
As Senator Mike Testa explained, “America Happened” that day.
I know the cards seem stacked against us once again.
I know things feel overwhelming and impossible.
But never underestimate the collective power of the human spirit.
Happy Anniversary!
I will never forget the various emotions I felt that week. From being angry and scared, cold and tired to feeling elated, invigorated and grateful to God for that AMAZING VICTORY!!! It was SO worth traveling from Indiana to New Jersey and back in order to stand alongside all of my brothers and sisters from around the country, to fight for medical freedom!
“We watched then Senate President Sweeney swap out members of the Senate Health Committee - replacing representatives who had listened to informed parents and were prepared to oppose the bill - and sat in horror as he gave himself a deciding vote to ensure the passage of S2173 through committee.”
Growing up, I like many other people was taught to believe that fascism is another word for a police state. But that’s not exactly true. When Mussolini came to power in post WW1 Italy he brought with him a society overseen by the marriage of the state and corporations. The above description is fascism at work - it’s all about give and take. But rather than give power back to the people it’s taken from them and in turn given to business interests. And it always works as long as they’re kept silent and ignorant. The battle of Trenton showed how a relatively small group of honest decent individuals can come together to make a difference. In a sense it couldn’t have come at a more opportune moment. The bigger battle was right around the corner. And the fascist controllers knew that their propaganda was not going to move everybody into submission. The flame was lit and The rest is history. Congratulations to everyone who was there at the beginning.