Photo courtesy via Philippine Daily Mirror.
Though summer is starting to slow down, the call for community assistance and connection hasn’t. Here’s what you missed in this week’s news roundup.
‘Kuya Raul’ To Have First Hearing This Thursday
Advocacy for the release of Raul Raagas continues.
Raagas, also referred to as “Kuya Raul,” was detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on July 24 while reportedly driving to work in New Jersey. He has been in custody at CoreCivic Elizabeth Detention Center in Newark since then.
“Raul Raagas is my constituent and my kababayan—a member of my community—a devoted father and husband who has spent more than three decades building his life in this country and this city, only to be torn from his family and held in a detention cell,” said Jersey City Councilman-at-Large Rolando R. Lavarro Jr.
“His case is not isolated: hardworking, deeply rooted families across our state and country are being torn apart in the same way, and it is wrong. Raul belongs home with his family, and I demand an end to his detention and an immigration system rooted in fairness, fundamental rights, and basic human dignity.”
Raagas, a native of Cebu City, Philippines, has been living in Jersey City since the late 1990s with his wife, Janet, and his two children.
Raagas is described as a “kind” and “strong” person who’s “always there when you need him,” according to an ongoing GoFundMe fundraiser. The fundraiser will help pay rent for Raagas’ family along with groceries, car payments and other bills “for the foreseeable future.”
Anakbayan Queens and Migrante Queens told Slice of Culture that they are calling for support to “pack the court” for Raagas’ immigration and bond hearing, which will happen on Thursday, Aug. 20 at 8:30 a.m. at Elizabeth Detention Center, located at 625 Evans Street. Attendees are encouraged to bring state-issued IDs. Those with a “vulnerable” status are recommended to not attend the hearing in person, but to stay tuned for other ways to get involved.
Help Improve Hudson County Transportation By Taking This Survey
Hudson County is assessing the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and other transit improvements along the JFK Boulevard in Jersey City and Bayonne and your feedback is wanted to help improve transit!
The BRT is a form of transportation that merges roadway, operational and station improvements to provide quicker and more efficient bus service.
Features include:
- Enhanced fare collection
- Enhanced stations
- Branding
- Dedicated running ways
- Transit signal priority
- High-capacity vehicles
A study is being done and will look to:
- Improve transit speed and reliability
- Strengthen job access
- Enhance traffic safety
Your feedback will help guide future recommendations. You can take the survey here.
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If You Need Jersey City Housing Assistance Resources, Look Here!
Jersey City’s Ward F Instagram account recently made a post that lists housing assistance resources including:
- Truth in renting guide
- JC Office of Landlord Tenant Relations
- Tenants Rights handbook
- NJ Eviction Law
- And more!
You can find all the links here. For more information, you can email [email protected].
Hey Ferris High School Class Of ‘76! A Reunion Is Coming Your Way
Jersey City’s Ferris High School is having a 50th year reunion for the class of 1976 on Oct. 31 at 6 p.m.
The reunion will be held at The Chandelier at 1801 Broadway in Bayonne. Tickets are $125 per person or $240 for two attendees.
Tickets can be purchased here. You can also purchase tickets via Venmo @Freddie-Rolon or Zelle 732-245-5640.
For further questions, you can contact Junior Maldonado at 201-344-2323 or by email at [email protected].
Man Charged In Fatal Jersey City Shooting
This past Thursday, Jalil Harley, 25, of Jersey City was arrested in connection with a fatal shooting of Omar Smith, 38, which happened in Jersey City on Tuesday, Aug. 11.
Shortly after 8 p.m. on Aug. 11, the Jersey City Police Department was notified of an injured male inside an apartment at 200 Cornelison Avenue. That’s where Smith, of Jersey City, was found with an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Harley is charged with:
- Murder
- Possession of a weapon
- Unlawful possession of a weapon
Harley was transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility and is awaiting his first court appearance.
Know any local news we should include? Email Stella Accettola at [email protected]!
