(TRENTON) – On December 4, 2020 Aieshia McFadden was shot dead outside a liquor store in Jersey City. Ms. McFadden was a 36-year-old African-American mother of four who had also been inappropriately touched by a man in the liquor store prior to being shot. For African-American women, sexual assault and violence is a persistent issue that is consistently unreported. The resolution (AR-214), approved by the full Assembly on Monday 72-0, issues a call to action to protect and support African-American women who stand against violence, injustice, and persecution.
Assembly sponsors of the resolution Angela McKnight (D-Hudson), Shanique Speight (D-Essex), and Britnee N. Timberlake (D-Essex, Passaic) issued the following joint statement:
“Sexual violence against Black women is far too frequently ignored. Mistrust of law enforcement results in the substantial underreporting of sexual assault and violence. We must protect and support Black women who stand and advocate for themselves against any injustice. This call to action is a necessary step to assure they are more protected and instill more confidence that our legal system is here to help.”