By 1936, New Deal programs that offered direct relief came to end and it became the responsibility of the state and local governments to address the needs of those still trying to recover from the Great Depression. Relief was minimal and inconsistent. The New Jersey Emergency Relief Administration ceased operations in April of 1936 and the needs of the people then fell to local government. On April 21, 1936, a group of citizens, known as the “Army of Unoccupation” marched into Trenton and remained in the Capitol building for the next eight days. Peacefully protesting and causing no damage, the 250 members of this “Army” simply wanted to bring attention to the dire needs of those affected by the Great Depression. Eventually, the state government would provide over six million dollars in direct relief to the citizens of New Jersey.
