By Michael Lovito
During Donald Trump’s first term in 2017, the Republican-controlled Morris Township Committee rejected a resolution declaring the Township a “fair and welcoming community.”
But eight years and a second Trump inauguration later, the now entirely Democratic Township Committee unanimously approved a similar resolution on Wednesday, pledging to uphold “the principles of justice, equity, and fairness in all of its policies, practices, and interactions.”
The resolution puts Morris Township in line with neighboring communities such as Morristown and Madison, which adopted “fair and welcoming” resolutions during Trump’s first term in response to the administration’s aggressive immigration and deportation policies.
Unlike ordinances adopted in “sanctuary cities” such as Jersey City and Newark, the Morris Township resolution does not explicitly state that the municipal government will refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
Instead, it commits the Township to “publicly and vigorously opposing any demographic registry that divides or otherwise has the intention of discrimination,” and affirms that it will “strive to ensure equal access to municipal services and opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their background or identity.”
The resolution does not explicitly reference the Trump administration, either. But Committeeman Bud Ravitz, who introduced the resolution, discussed the president in all but name while lamenting that the Committee had to even draft it in the first place.
“The very notion that we found it necessary to write this resolution is an indictment of the state of affairs in our country,” Ravitz said. “Many of us are all too aware of some of the campaign rhetoric we heard last year, and some of what is already happening this week.”
In addition to deploying 1,500 troops to the southwest border, the Trump administration has authorized federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to arrest undocumented immigrants in “sensitive areas” such as schools, churches, and courthouses, rolling back a 2011 directive prohibiting them from doing so.
‘SHOW MERCY TO THE STRANGER’
While the introduction of a fair and welcoming resolution prompted accusations of “political correctness” and “an outright nullification and disobeying” of American law from some members of the public in 2017, this year’s discussion was significantly tamer.
Richard Schwartz, who said that he represented “a patriotic group of concerned citizens who care about freedom, rights, and accountability,” praised the resolution and called on the committee to go one step further by resolving to refuse any invitation to participate in the Department of Homeland Security’s 287(g) program, which would allow Township police to enforce federal immigration laws.
Schwartz warned that participating in the 287(g) program would give the federal government access to Morris Township’s tax dollars, could dissuade undocumented residents from cooperating with police, and harm otherwise law-abiding immigrants.
“The current administration’s aggressive pursuit of people here illegally in the country invites indiscriminate implementation,” Schwartz said.
“Jailing and deporting people who are, in all ways but one, law-abiding, who came here fleeing intolerable conditions, challenges an article of faith common to Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. That is, to show mercy to the stranger.”
Following the resolution’s passage, Committeeman Siva Jonnada, who spoke in favor of the failed 2017 resolution before being elected, noted the values it described were reflected earlier in the meeting.
The committee swore in three new police officers, including Officer Dave Lee, a Korean-born Army veteran, and celebrated Officer Darren Dungee’s receipt of the Black History Month Excellence in Policing Award from St. Elizabeth University.
Following the lead of New Jersey Sen. Andy Kim, the committee also recognized Jan. 13, 2025, as Korean American Day.
“It’s important for communities to have such a resolution put down in writing so it shows that at least the people who are running the town are in favor of a diverse community,” Jonnada said. “I was honored to vote for it.”
In her closing statement, Mayor Donna Guariglia reiterated the Township’s “willingness to commit to being an open and welcoming community,” once again contrasting the committee’s approach to that of the Trump White House.
“As we’ve seen overnight the dismantling of DEI ( Diversity Equity Inclusion) across the federal government, please be assured, at the local and state level, we will fight to protect our constitutional rights, environmental regulations for clean air and water, and hold accountable those who break the law and ensure they will be fully prosecuted,” Guariglia said.
The committee’s next meeting is Jan. 29.
