Newark, N.J., community group protests 205 days and counting

The People’s Organization for Progress in Newark, N.J., launched its Daily People’s Protest Campaign for Jobs, Peace, Equality and Justice on June 27. As of Jan.17, the organization’s demonstrations had taken place for 205 consecutive days.

People’s Organization for Progress is aiming for 381 straight days of action in Newark, N.J. WW photo: Anne Pruden

POP intends to continue demonstrating through July 15, at which time they will have protested for a total of 381 days. Their protests are modeled after the number of days the Montgomery, Ala., bus boycott lasted, launched by Rosa Parks in December 1955.

More than 150 organizations have endorsed POP’s campaign.

POP activists have endured extreme weather conditions throughout the summer and winter seasons. They carry signs reading “Stop Foreclosures,” “Stop Job Cuts,” “Workers Need Higher Wages,” “Bail Out the People” and “We Demand Jobs for a Living Wage.”

With their megaphone, these activists strongly demand union representation, a public works program and an end to student loan debt. They also denounce charter schools. POP calls for an end to the war in Afghanistan and the Iraq occupation. They say “no” to war on Iran. Their signs, which read “Toot Your Horn for Jobs,” draw steady streams of supportive horn honking by motorists, including bus drivers.

Larry Hamm, New Jersey state chairperson of POP, cites a U.S. Department of Labor report issued in December, revealing that the overall national unemployment rate for African Americans rose from 15.5 percent to 15.8 percent and from 39.6 percent to 42.1 percent among Black youth.

In New Jersey, one in every six Black men was unemployed compared to one in 13 white men. “Trickle-down” economics is not working, Hamm points out. He says that the wealth is not trickling down; it’s trickling up.

On Jan. 17, New York activists representing the Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition (NYC), the International Action Center, the Take Back WBAI Coalition, the Lynne Stewart campaign and CPRMetro.org joined POP members at their protest.

The protest schedule is from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday through Friday and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Springfield Avenue and West Market Street intersection. That’s in front of Old City Hall and the Lincoln Monument. On Saturdays, the group demonstrates from noon to 2 p.m. at the corner of Broad and Market streets. POP’s meetings take place every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Abyssinian Baptist Church, 224 West Kinney St. in Newark.

See the website at www.njpop.org. Call 973-801-0001 for daily updates.