About the Jamestown Justice Coalition

Founded in 2020: A Call for Justice and Change

The Jamestown Justice Coalition (JJC) was born out of a shared commitment to equity, accountability, and community unity during one of the most pivotal social justice movements in modern American history. Formed on June 25, 2020, JJC immediately took a leadership role in organizing peaceful Black Lives Matter rallies and engaging in dialogue with local officials, educators, and community partners. These early efforts centered on the belief that progress requires both collective action and constructive collaboration.

That same summer, JJC launched a campaign calling for the retirement of the “Red Raiders” nickname and Native imagery from Jamestown Public Schools, recognizing the harm such symbols cause to Indigenous communities. The movement gained traction quickly, fueled by public advocacy and media engagement from JJC Director Justin Hubbard, who became a key voice for change. By August 31, 2020, JJC’s commitment to equity extended into the education system more broadly as the organization held a rally focused on educational equity and inclusion for all Jamestown students.

2021: Holding Institutions Accountable

JJC maintained its momentum into 2021, with residents and coalition organizers continuing to hold local institutions accountable. On August 11, 2021, members spoke at the Jamestown School Board meeting to demand the complete retirement of the “Red Raiders” name, reaffirming JJC’s long-term commitment to justice, representation, and meaningful systemic change.

2022: Expanding the Fight for Human Rights

In February 2022, JJC’s civic engagement was again evident during the Human Rights Commission reappointment dispute, which underscored the coalition’s growing influence in local governance and advocacy. Later that year, following the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, JJC organized a reproductive-rights rally on July 8, standing in solidarity with those affected by the ruling and emphasizing that human rights are inseparable from reproductive autonomy.

2023–2024: Advocacy Realized and Coalition Building

JJC’s sustained advocacy for the school nickname change continued to resonate. By September 13, 2023, Jamestown Public Schools held public input sessions where the coalition’s 2020 efforts were directly referenced as a catalyst for change. That work culminated in January 2024, when the district officially adopted “Red & Green” as its new nickname, symbolically closing the “Red Raiders” chapter and opening one of progress and respect.

Later in September 2024, JJC partnered with the YWCA and the Robert H. Jackson Center to co-host a homelessness forum addressing another dimension of social inequity within the Jamestown community. These partnerships reflected JJC’s evolving mission, advocating not only for symbolic change but also for tangible, community-centered reform.

2025: Unity, Resistance, and Renewal

In 2025, JJC continued to stand at the forefront of social justice organizing in Jamestown. The Remove, Reverse, Reclaim rally, held on April 5 at Dow Park, underscored the coalition’s enduring message of reclaiming justice and amplifying marginalized voices.

That summer, JJC’s influence reached a national audience when CNN aired a segment on June 14, featuring JJC Director Justin Hubbard discussing the No Kings rallies, a movement challenging power structures and promoting community-driven change. By October 16, local media outlet WRFA announced Jamestown’s participation in the national No Kings initiative, leading to a major fall rally on October 18 that drew nearly 500 attendees to Dow Park. The event featured powerful addresses from Justin Hubbard, Sydney Smith, and Aaron Gies, emphasizing unity, resilience, and accountability.

Closing out the year, on October 22, JJC again partnered with the Robert H. Jackson Center and the theater group Madness Most Discreet for a community reading of Tony Kushner’s A Bright Room Called Day, highlighting art’s role as both reflection and catalyst for justice.

A Continuing Commitment to Justice

From its founding amid the urgency of 2020 to its ongoing leadership in 2025, the Jamestown Justice Coalition has remained steadfast in its mission to advocate for equity, dismantle systems of oppression, and build a more just, inclusive, and compassionate community. Through peaceful demonstration, civic engagement, education, and partnership, JJC continues to prove that change begins when communities come together, committed not just to awareness but to lasting transformation.