On this day, February 14, in 1804

New Jersey became the last Northern state to abolish slavery. Actually, the legislation called for the “Gradual Abolition of Slavery” and it aimed to phase slavery out over a 25-year period. The act ironically granted financial benefits to slave owners. In the years since, New Jersey has built itself a rather bad reputation as far as racial discrimination and police brutality goes. The New Jersey State Troopers are often accused of targeted racial profiling and violent tactics. The names Assata Shakur, Zayd Malik Shakur and Sundiata Acoli come to mind.