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The Really Really Free Market Comes to Jersey City

September 16, 2020/in header, Neighborhoods, News, Westside /by Loretta Graceffo

On September 12, members of the Jersey City community gathered on the lawn of Mana Contemporary to shop for art supplies and books. The most notable thing about the makeshift community market? Everything—from cans of paint to children’s books to balls of yarn—was free. 

The event, which was socially distanced but well attended, was organized by local artist Amy Wilson. She lives in the Lincoln Park area of Jersey City, and is well known for her crafts inspired by New Jersey politics, including patches embroidered with an infamous quote from Bob Menedez’s corruption trial. 

For her the gathering was both a “huge garage sale where everything is free” and a form of mutual aid. 

“The idea is really to eliminate waste,” Wilson said. “Instead of things going straight to the dumpster, let’s instead find them new homes and connect them to people who might be in need.”

The West Side event was advertised as a “Really Really Free Market,” referring to a nationwide movement to counteract capitalism and consumerism through sharing resources. 

Such markets are not affiliated with any larger organization, and individuals are encouraged to start them anywhere and at any time. Often services are shared in addition to goods such as yoga lessons, haircuts, and guided crafts.

The movement has taken root in many cities across the United States from San Diego to Minneapolis, but this is the first time it has appeared in Jersey City. 

“In Jersey City, things are getting more and more expensive,” Wilson said. “There’s a lot of things that are off limits to a lot of people, so it’s nice for people to come here and not have to worry about money.

She views the event as a small way to make art more accessible to people who have ideas for projects but are held back by the cost of supplies.

“Art has been so important during the pandemic just in terms of giving people something to do and keeping them sane,” said Wilson. “For me, creating things has always been a very soothing way to unwind and connect with myself. And I would love to see more people getting the opportunity to do that.”

For Lucka Joseph, a Jersey City resident who went home with a collection of romance, mystery, cooking and poetry books, the market was also a chance to build community and make friends.

“The whole day I was in a better mood,” he said. “I found amazing books that I’ll most likely spend the whole year reading. And the fact that there were other people there too made me happy.”

Wilson says that she would love to make the Really Really Free Market in Jersey City an annual event– and after the pandemic, she hopes the market can also feature live music and food trucks. 

“It would be so great to keep helping everyone find a home for things in a way that’s good for the environment,” she said. “It’s really about generosity and sharing and creativity– and encouraging people to be adventurous.” 

 

News Briefs

Hudson County Community College has been named the recipient of a one-year, $850,000 investment from the JPMorgan Chase. The investment will be utilized for a program the College developed to address the challenges of the economic crisis in Hudson County that were brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is designed to provide lasting improvement in the County’s workforce ecosystem.

Mayor Steven Fulop and the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation (JCEDC) have launched the latest round of emergency funding to provide over $2.5 million in direct aid and support to Jersey City’s neediest residents, regardless of immigration status. The city will partner with  York Street, Women Rising, United Way, and Puertorriqueños Asociados for Community Organization (PACO). 

Darius Evans, age 45, of Jersey City was arrested  on Monday by The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in connection with the stabbing death of 39-year-old Tyrone Haskins early New Year’s morning. The charges include Murder and two counts of Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purposes.

Mayor Steven Fulop is joining forces with Uber to announce a new agreement that will expand residents’ access to COVID-19 vaccinations with free Uber rides to and from Jersey City vaccination sites. Phase 1B includes essential frontline workers and seniors 75 years old and over.

According to a report in the Jersey Journal, Jersey City received its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines Monday and plans to begin vaccinating eligible residents later this week at the Mary McLeod Bethune Center.

The federal Paycheck Protection Program, which offers businesses loans that can be forgivable, reopened on January 11th. The revised program focuses first on underserved borrowers – minority- and women-owned businesses.

Jersey Art Exchange (JAX) has merged with Art House Productions effective January 2021 to help improve and expand arts education and opportunities for the Jersey City community. JAX Founder Jacqueline Arias will remain Director of the program at Art House.

Christmas trees will be collected citywide every Wednesday night throughout the month of January. Pickup resumes this Wednesday January 13th.

Keep abreast of Jersey City Covid-19 statistics here.

Governor Murphy has launched a “Covid Transparency Website” where New Jerseyans can track state expenditures related to Covid.  Go here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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