Judge Esther Salas Honored at New School Named After Her Son

Dedication of Esther Salas Academy

• 📌 Judge Esther Salas was honored at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Esther Salas Academy in Union City, New Jersey.
• 🎯 This event takes place a little over five years after a tragic attack at her home that resulted in the death of her only son.

Judge Salas's Vision for the School

• 💡 Judge Salas expressed her honor at being the daughter of immigrants and a U.S. citizen, emphasizing her happiness to be part of Union City.
• 🗣️ She plans to be a regular visitor to the academy, aiming to teach students about the rule of law, the U.S. Constitution, and to cultivate future leaders.
• 🇺🇸 She highlighted the importance of democracy and the values of honoring and protecting it.

Impact and Inspiration

• 🌟 The academy, serving nearly 800 7th through 9th graders, aims to provide a second home and inspire students.
• 🤝 Salas, the first Hispanic woman to serve as a district court and U.S. magistrate judge, believes that seeing someone with similar experiences achieve success can encourage children seeking direction.
• 🌍 She expressed a refusal to believe that future generations are doomed to grow up in a "broken America," emphasizing the need for individuals to step up and shape the world.

Advocating for Safety and Unity

• ⚖️ Judge Salas successfully advocated for Daniel's Law, which criminalizes the publication of personal information of judges and their families, enacted after the attack that killed her son.
• 💖 She stressed the importance of remembering the U.S. as a melting pot where citizens, despite looking different, are all the same and love America.