Peoples Protest Campaign

On June 23, activists from the International Action Center joined in solidarity with the Peoples Organization for Progress at a rally in Newark, N.J. Held in the heart of the city’s downtown shopping district, this rally was the 363nd consecutive daily protest. POP intends to continue until the number of days equals the number of days of the 1955 Montgomery, Ala. bus boycott that sparked the Civil Rights Movement.

Newark is the largest city in New Jersey. Its predominately Black neighborhoods have been hit the hardest by unemployment and cuts in essential services.

Organizers and activists began the “Daily Peoples Protest Campaign” on June 27, 2011, and set up actions every day since then to call attention to the need for a national jobs program; preservation of unions and public schools; and winning workers’ rights, affordable college tuition and national health care — and many other concerns of the working class. They also call for an end to expensive U.S. wars.

Due to the dedication of POP activists, this campaign of daily actions is commemorating its one-year anniversary on June 27. POP has had the support of 179 organizations, including the IAC.

At this protest on Market Street, a major intersection through Newark’s downtown center with endless vehicular traffic, activists held large black-and-white banners encouraging motorists to honk their horns for jobs. Motorists honked and gave thumbs-up as they sped down the avenue.

Cliff Harrington, a leading POP organizer, welcomed New York activists with warmth and appreciation, and they, in turn, expressed their gratitude and honor to be part of this inspiring and informative campaign. POP also held a voter registration drive, and Harrington reminded the community that many people died to afford people of color the right to vote.

The IAC supplied banners for this event, which denounced racism, police brutality and war, and provided leaflets protesting the elimination of post offices and postal jobs and services.

IAC activists who spoke at the rally addressed many issues of the day and spoke of being genuinely moved by the vigil, the spirit of hope and determination shown there, and the public support of the ongoing campaign.

POP organizers appreciate the support and encourage everyone to join in their daily vigils, which are held at Springfield Avenue and West Market Street from 4:30 to 6 p.m. from Monday to Friday and on Saturdays from 2 to 3 p.m. and at Broad and Market Streets from 2 to 3 p.m. on Sundays. They invite activists to their weekly Thursday meetings at 6:30 p.m. at the Abyssinian Baptist Church on 224 West Kinney St. in Newark.

For information, see www.njpop.org or Facebook.com/People’s Organization for Progress. For updates, email [email protected] or call 973-801-0001.

Hiwot is an IAC volunteer.