Justice Bloomed on Bloomfield Ave.

You Showed Up, Glen Ridge—For Justice, For Each Other.

"Proud to Live Where People Show Up and Speak Out. Today, My Town Chose Justice."

If you drove down the long road of Bloomfield Ave. today (where Academy St. is located), you were met with protests on almost every corner. Neighbors. Students. Parents. Elders with handmade signs. People carrying the American, Palestinian, and Ukrainian flags.

I saw a community—my community—moving in unity, standing for justice, equity, inclusion, and care.

Academy St. Thrift is located in a small town, nestled between Bloomfield and Montclair, New Jersey. Glen Ridge has long been known for its excellent public schools and quiet streets—but also for a troubling lack of diversity.

Glen Ridge’s lack of diversity can be traced to a combination of historical, economic, and policy-driven factors. Originally established in 1895 as an affluent, predominantly white suburb, the town was designed with single-family zoning that limited multi-family housing and contributed to a homogenous population. Over the years, high property values—averaging over $730,000—and a 93% homeownership rate have created significant economic barriers to entry, disproportionately affecting racially and economically marginalized communities. With few rental and affordable housing options available, access to the town remains largely restricted to those with substantial financial means. While Essex County is one of the most diverse in New Jersey, Glen Ridge’s historical development patterns and limited housing accessibility have contributed to its continued racial imbalance, making it one of the least diverse communities in the region despite its proximity to more varied populations.

This is why today mattered.

Because in a town with this kind of history, seeing Glen Ridge residents stand together in the name of justice is more than symbolic—it is healing.

It feels like a turning point. It feels like hope. And as a woman of color raising a non-white family here, it feels—for the first time in a long time—like a safe space.

To witness neighbors fight for the dignity of "the many Abrego Garcías"—that’s what allyship looks like. That’s what community looks like. For me, this wasn’t just a protest. It was Glen Ridge’s ethos on full display.

To everyone who stood in solidarity today: we see you. We honor you. And we’re proud to be your neighbor.

Keep showing up.

Keep leading with love.

Keep doing the work—together.

With gratitude and solidarity,

Academy St. Thrift