BREAKING NEWS: New Jersey residents demand healthy communities and WIN!

As of July 7, 2022: Amazon Hub in Newark is Canceled After Local Groups Object [New York Times]

and: Newark Airport’s neighbors want a voice in what’s next now that Amazon is not building a hub there [nj.com]

It’s official – after residents, community groups, and union members made demands for good jobs and safe and healthy communities, Amazon refused to meet basic environmental and labor standards and instead pulled out of a deal with the Port Authority of NY/NJ.

Thank you to the thousands of community members who signed pledges, canvassed door to door, joined town halls, attended rallies, spoke at Port Authority meetings and set a higher standard for corporations coming into our communities!

Previously, the Port Authority Board had authorized its Executive Director to negotiate a lease with Amazon for a regional Air Hub at Newark Airport, without seeking any community input.

The Good Jobs Clean Air NJ coalition put out a press release upon hearing the news:

“As an Elizabeth resident, where we have been designated an ‘overburdened community’ by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, this is a huge victory for our communities of color, workers and environmental justice advocates. Black and Latinx Newark and Elizabeth residents that carry the burden left by traffic and pollution––high levels of asthma, cancer, elevated blood lead levels, cardiovascular diseases and developmental disorders––led this fight. 

“While our communities fought for basic health and safety, Amazon was unwilling to comply with basic labor and environmental standards. This fight has shown us that when we come together and fight against corporate greed and environmental destruction, our communities win,” stated David Lenis, a member of Make the Road NJ and Elizabeth resident. 

More: Port Authority ends talks with Amazon for controversial Newark Airport air freight hub [nj.com] ; Newark Airport deal for $432M Amazon air hub collapses [northjersey.com] ; Amazon bid to put cargo hub at Newark airport is grounded [News 12 NJ]