Stand with the Formosa 4: Rally & Precedent-setting Trial!
Start: Monday, June 23, 2025•08:15 AM

Rally with the Formosa 4 ahead of precedent-setting trial where Judge will Hear the first necessity defense in connection to protest in NJ history.
WHAT: Press conference and rally ahead of the trial, providing an update on the Formosa 4 case and ongoing efforts to stop Formosa Plastics' expansion in Texas and Louisiana.
When: Monday, June 23. 8:15 AM Rally, 9:30 AM Trial
Where: Lawn of Livingston Town Hall and Municipal Court. 357 S. Livingston Ave. Livingston, NJ. (Lots of public parking)
Background: The Formosa Four were arrested while blocking entrances to protest against Formosa Plastics, a serial corporate polluter, for more planned plastic expansion and more than 700 violations of a $50 million settlement under the Clean Water Act requiring zero plastic discharge from its Texas plant into Lavaca Bay. In August, more than 70 protestors – including clergy, parents, and environmental justice leaders – gathered at Formosa’s U.S. headquarters in Livingston, NY. Six were arrested and charged with criminal trespass, and four proceeded to trial and were convicted. They appealed their conviction to NJ State Superior Court. Their case was heard by Honorable Judge Arthur Batista on April 1, 2025.
In this precedent-setting order, New Jersey Superior Court Judge Arthur Batista is allowing the Formosa Four to use environmental and public health necessity and justification as a defense during their upcoming trial for trespassing. This is the first time in state history that defendants have been allowed to present a necessity and justification defense in connection with protest activity, specifically an environmental protest. Judge Batista’s ruling found that the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that their trespass at Formosa Plastics was not necessary or justified under the circumstances, but leaves the final decision on defendant's guilt to the Livingston Municipal Court at the upcoming trial.