Faith and spiritual voices remind leaders that clean water is about dignity, justice, and care for the most vulnerable. Access to water and sanitation is a human right, and we have a moral duty to speak out whenever that right is violated.
On January 5, The Record reported that the tap water at Delaney Hall in Newark, NJ displays concerning levels of contamination from heavy metals, including lead. There is no safe level of lead. However, as the article states, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka’s office has not yet received direct complaints about the potential contamination and would only accept samples collected by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
This is where you come in. We ask that you take a few minutes to make a call to urge oversight and accountability. Speaking from spiritual values helps us to communicate beyond politics, grounding together in shared ethics and a deep respect for life that can unite diverse communities. Your voice is your superpower! Please consider calling and sharing this opportunity with 7 friends, family and clergy.
Call to Action:
Call Newark Mayor Ras Baraka (973-733-6400), asking for oversight of the water and sanitation quality of Delaney Hall. Below is a sample call script you might consider using and sharing with your network:
“Hello! My name is [YOUR NAME]. I’m an NJ resident [or local resident if you reside close to Newark!] and I care deeply about the health of our community’s water systems.
I’m calling out of concern for water quality at Delaney Hall. I respectfully ask that the city of Newark demand water quality testing at this location by the NJDEP or EPA in order to ensure that the water meets safety standards.
Water is a human right. Ensuring clean water for everyone—including incarcerated residents—reflects Newark’s values of dignity, accountability and environmental responsibility.
Thank you for your leadership and for taking this concern seriously. I appreciate your time.”
Need to leave a voicemail? Try this version:
“Hello, this is [YOUR NAME], an NJ resident calling with concern about Newark’s water quality at Delaney Hall. I’m asking the city to demand government-led water quality testing to ensure that the water is safe. Access to clean water and sanitation is a human right and a shared responsibility, which reflects Newark’s commitment to dignity and care. Thank you for your time.”
Thank you for all the ways you continue to show up to protect sacred water and foster peace through justice. Stay connected here and on our Calls to Action page for regular opportunities to care for what sustains us all.