Federal, county, state, and municipal officials gathered in Union City this morning to see the new school at 516 36th St. dedicated to U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas, who attended the city’s public schools.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“We dedicate this school that honors the life and dedication of Esther Salas: A proud daughter of Union City!” Esther Salas Academy Principal Michele Beleza-Cowan said at the beginning of the two-hour program to applause.
” … These moments in history, the ending is not predetermined, it is not written: It is defined by those who step up. Judge Esther Salas has stepped up. For that, she should be commended,” noted U.S. Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ), referencing the last conversation he had with the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-GA).
The school will be a learning institution for approximately 827 students in 7th, 8th, and 9th grades that includes a media center, technology, science, hydroponics, and STEM labs, as well as vocal music room, dance studio, gymnasium, and much more.
Salas, who graduated from Union City’s Emerson High School in 1987, received national attention after a man knocked on her front door and fatally shot her son Daniel, 20, on July 19th, 2020.
This led to the passage of “Daniel’s Law” in New Jersey, which allows jurists and public officials to have their home addresses and phone numbers removed from websites and documents as a safety precaution.
New Jersey Schools Development Authority CEO Manuel Da Silva noted that while this was an SDA project, the state, city, and school district put their heads together to ensure the project received a total $56.8 million in funding.
To that end, Union City BOE President Ydalia Genao thanked everyone who helped work on the effort to make this school a reality before Superintendent of Schools Silvia Abbato.
“Today is not just to open the doors to a new school, but to open the door of an opportunity for justice and hope. The Esther Salas Academy stands as the newest one in what I’d like to call an elite club in generational success,” stated Abbato.
“Over the last century, Union City has built schools that are more than brick and mortar: They are the living heartbeat of our community,” she said, also referring to the district as one of the most successful urban districts in the nation.
After finishing her remarks, she introduced state Senator (D-33)/Union City Mayor Brian Stack, who is another product of the local public schools.
“As a federal judge, Judge Salas presides over matters that impact our nation, our state, and our community. When we were thinking about who we wanted to name a school after, we thought about the message we wanted to send to students who attend this school,” he noted.
” … We felt that is was important to show students that even in the face of adversity, hard work and perseverance always win. It is my hope that many of the students see Esther Salas’ greatness in themselves: Judge, you are a great individual.”
Next up to the podium was Hudson County Executive Craig Guy acknowledged that Salas was the first Latina to serve as a district court judge and U.S. magistrate judge before thanking the prosecutors and judges in attendance for their service.
” … The service that you give to our nation and our state and our counties far exceeds what any elected official can do,” he exclaimed.
During her remarks, Salas mentioned her late son Daniel several times, recalling that she liked to use slang terms like “lit” and “fire” to have fun with him, also highlighting that she and her husband Mark had to ultimately forgive her son’s killer.
“Without my faith and the power of forgiveness, I don’t know where I would be today. Mark and I have chosen to forgive our son’s killer because we know that with forgiveness, we open a space in our hearts for new joy, peace, love, and acceptance,” she declared.
“Because of our faith and our willingness to forgive, we have learned to accept life as it is and not as we would want it to be. It is my faith and love for the divine source that keeps me going. It kept me going in my darkest hours when they told me that my baby didn’t make it.”
During a media scrum after officials cut the ribbon in front of the school, Salas elaborated on the anguish she felt after her only child had been taken from her.
“That’s why the worst day of my life, when my son was taken by a lawyer who was upset with me, and instead of writing me angry letter, he stalked my family and came to my house on July 19th, 2020 and took the life of my only child and Mark and my only child,” she said.
“And I can tell you that I didn’t want to live that day. I tell people that if there was a gun, or a knife, or a hole, or a ledge, I would’ve jumped off of it. But my faith, my faith in God, and my mother’s strength kicked in, and thanks to my mom and my faith, and all my Fs [friends and family] as I said in my speech, I stand here today just so proud, so grateful, so humble: I know Daniel and my mom are with me right now …”
Nobody asks, nobody answers. Den Hollander had to have a reason for wanting to take revenge. What was done to him that made him want to kill? And how do you find it in yourself to want to continue being a judge, when your actions drove a person to kill? So much for settling our differences peacefully.