Many in New Jersey – and across the nation – are worried that, under President Trump, the safety nets crafted so carefully over decades are in danger of being shredded.
Within five days of Donald Trump's election last week, a start-up internet Facebook page called Pantsuit Nation New Jersey had attracted an astonishing 10,000 members - women (and men) terrified that safety nets crafted so carefully over decades are in danger of shredding.
Meanwhile, many of the state's residents are sporting safety pins on their shirts or sweaters. The symbols convey a wordless message to African-Americans, Muslims, women and others threatened by a rising tide of racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism: You are safe with me.
The widespread concerns appear to be legitimate. Trump has promised to roll back environmental regulations and encourage the deportation of immigrants. He has surrounded himself with such men as Stephen Bannon, who espouses racism and white supremacy, and Mike Pence, an unrepentant homophobe.
The 25 'Trumpiest' towns in New Jersey
So what can you do on a local level if you believe a healthy environment, human rights, women's ability to choose and other precious facets of American life are under siege?
Organize, advocate and donate.
Here are some suggestions to get started:
Exterior of the Trenton office, on East State Street, of the Planned Parenthood Association of the Mercer Area. (Photo by Michael Mancuso | for NJ.com)Send a check or volunteer with the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey or Planned Parenthood of Northern, Central and Southern New Jersey.
The state's chapter of the ACLU, a leading voice for the voiceless, battles for equal treatment, fairness, privacy and freedom of speech and religion. Planned Parenthood provides accessible reproductive health care at affordable rates.
A coalition of environmental groups marches in Trenton in the rain to oppose a proposed pipeline and to preserve the Pinelands. Senator Raymond Lesniak, (D-Union) addresses the crowd at the War Memorial. (Photo by Michael Mancuso | For NJ.com ) Become an advocate for the planet Earth by supporting the Sierra Club of New Jersey or the Delaware Riverkeeper Network.
The Sierra Club lobbies in Trenton for policies to keep air, water and other natural resources safe. The chapter's 20,000 members speak out when pipeline construction imperils the local environment, or when industrial plants release toxic materials into our soil or waterways.
Over 17 million people rely on the Delaware for their drinking way. The volunteers and staff of the Delaware Riverkeeper Network work to assure that regulations, legislation and policies the affect the watershed free of pollution.
Trenton Mayor Eric Jackson delivers a meal to client Edgar Diaz, seated at left. (Photo by Michael Mancuso | for NJ.com)Sign up to feed the hungry at the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, or find a job for an unemployed single mom through Arm in Arm. The Soup Kitchen provides some 4,800 free meals to people who might otherwise go without.
It's also a beneficiary of the 4th annual Mercer County Turkey Trot, a 5K- and one-mile walk that will get your Thanksgiving Day off to a healthy - and socially meaningful - start.
Arm in Arm, formerly the Crisis Ministry of Mercer County, helps find food, housing and work for more than 5,000 families struggling with crushing burdens.
There are many productive ways to stand up for social justice in our region, from supporting LGBTQ rights through Garden State Equality to organizing interfaith dialogues in your church, synagogue or mosque.
And don't forget perhaps your most important tool: Get active politically. Don't just protest laws - make better ones.
Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.