Showing posts with label Newark NJ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Newark NJ. Show all posts

Sunday, December 01, 2024

Mildred Crump a Newark political pioneer and icon has died

Mildred Crump, a longtime Newark councilwoman and pioneer for Black women in city politics, has died at age 86.

Crump became the first Black woman elected to Newark City Council in 1994 and the first Black woman named council president in 2006. She served as a Councilwoman from 1994-1998, and again from 2006-2021.

Crump became the first Black braille teacher in Detroit, her hometown, before relocating to the Garden State. She was also a founding member of the New Jersey Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., the National Political Congress for Black Women of Newark, and the Global Women’s Leadership Collaborative of New Jersey, dedicated to women’s issues in Africa.

[SOURCE: NJ.COM]

Saturday, August 19, 2023

Melba Moore To Be Honored In Newark, NJ With a Street Named In Her Honor

The Honorable Newark, NJ, Mayor Ras Baraka and Councilwoman At Large, the Rev. Louise Scott-Rountree will present a street renaming dedication, honoring The Marvelous, Tony Award-winning, Grammy nominated R&B legend, The Marvelous Melba Moore.

The event is taking place on Friday, September 8th, 2023, 11 am ET, at the intersection of William and Mercer Streets in Newark, NJ – across the street from Ms. Moore’s alma mater, Arts High School. The street will be renamed Melba Moore Plaza.

This has been a banner year for The Marvelous Melba Moore. She appeared on The Tamron Hall Show, walked the runway for the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women event, released a new single - a remake of the Ashford & Simpson R&B classic, "It Seems To Hang On", as well as earning a Star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame on August 10th, 2023.

Sunday, August 13, 2023

Building in Newark to be renamed after Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver

Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, the first Black woman elected to statewide office in New Jersey history, was remembered in a memorial service Saturday as a trailblazer who fought to help those in need.

During the funeral service Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo announced the county’s family assistance and benefits building in Newark will be renamed after Oliver and there will be a bust of her displayed at the county courthouse in the city.

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

Witness says he has new information about Malcolm X assassination

Attorneys representing the family of Malcolm X revealed what they call a star witness Tuesday in their ongoing legal pursuits related to his assassination in 1965.

The witness said he had new information he could provide, all these years later.

Sunday, April 09, 2023

Newark's Shakur Stevenson stops Shuichiro Yoshino to become mandatory challenger for the WBC lightweight title

After winning titles at featherweight and junior lightweight, Shakur Stevenson moved up once again, this time to face Shuichiro Yoshino in a 12-round WBC lightweight title eliminator in Newark, New Jersey on Saturday. Stevenson finished Yoshino in the sixth round of a one-sided bout to become the mandatory challenger to the WBC lightweight title. [SOURCE: ESPN]

Monday, January 02, 2023

The Martin Luther King “We Won’t Go Back” March To Be Held In Newark

The People’s Organization For Progress is sponsoring The Martin Luther King “We Won’t Go Back” March that will be held on Martin Luther King's actual birthday, Sunday, January 15, 2023.

The organization will be marching to protest racism, sexism, facism, and war.

The march will begin at 2:00pm at the Martin Luther King Statue, 495 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Newark, NJ.

For more information call POP at (973) 801-0001. Contact POP if your organization would like to co-sponsor this event. Please wear masks and practice social distancing.

The People's Organization for Progress works to empower communities and fight for their needs. P.O.P. confronts issues about equality, justice, poverty, racism, umemployment, affordable housing and education, violence(of any sort), etc., as well as local, national, and international issues.

Sunday, August 21, 2022

Newark NJ Residents March Against Violence

Newark residents took to the streets Saturday for a citywide peace walk.

The walk was a call to action for business leaders, the community and families to help end gun violence.

Thursday, July 14, 2022

March For Jayland Walker to be held in Newark NJ

The People’s Organization For Progress (POP) will have a march and rally to demand justice for Jayland Walker on Friday, July 15, 2022, 5:00pm starting at the Lincoln Statue, 12 Springfield Avenue in Newark, New Jersey.

The Lincoln Statue is located at the intersection of Springfield Avenue and West Market Street.

Mr Walker was killed by Akron, Ohio police on June 27, 2022. He was unarmed when police fired 90 rounds hitting him 60 times.

“The manner in which Jayland Walker was killed, the amount of force and number of bullets fired was abominable and should be condemned by people of conscience across the country and around the world,” stated Lawrence Hamm, Chairman, People’s Organization For Progress.

“The officers who killed Mr Walker must be held accountable. They should be fired immediately and prosecuted at both the state and federal levels,” Hamm said.

Monday, June 20, 2022

Newark NJ renames park after Harriet Tubman

Newark marked Juneteenth Monday by renaming a park after American abolitionist and activist Harriet Tubman.

Mayor Ras Baraka unveiled the name change of Washington Park to Harriet Tubman Square.

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

Queen Latifah breaks ground on Rise Living housing development in Newark NJ

Queen Latifah (Dana Owens) joined Newark Mayor Ras Baraka Tuesday at a groundbreaking ceremony for a new mixed-used project she is partnering with local developers to build in the city’s South Ward.

Wednesday, March 09, 2022

12-year-old Prosperity Wilson from Newark is missing!

UPDATE:Prosperity has been found and is safe! MISSING 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN NEWARK FOUND SAFE

Police in Newark are desperately searching for a missing 12-year-old girl who struggles with her mental health.

Prosperity Wilson was last seen just before 4 p.m. Tuesday on the 100 block of 4th Avenue.

Wilson suffers from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

She is 5'2" tall and 234 pounds. She has a light brown complexion, short brown hair and brown eyes. She was wearing a tie-dyed hooded sweatshirt, gray tights, black and red Jordan sneakers, and she was carrying a pink and blue book bag.

Director O'Hara urges anyone with information about the whereabouts of Prosperity Wilson to call the Department's 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477). All anonymous Crime Stopper tips are kept confidential and could result in a reward.

Saturday, January 15, 2022

The People’s Organization for Progress To Hold March Voting Rights On MLK Birthday In Newark

A Newark group is planning to hold a march on Saturday, the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., in support of voting rights and several social justice issues.

The People’s Organization for Progress (POP) is spearheading a rally at noon. It will begin at the Lincoln Statue, 12 Springfield Avenue in Newark. Those who plan to attend the march are asked to wear masks and practice social distancing.

“The right to vote in the United States is under attack,” POP Chair Lawrence Hamm said. “We are calling this march to demand passage of legislation that will protect and strengthen voting rights.”

“Since the November 2020 presidential election nearly 400 bills have been introduced in 48 states to restrict voting rights, and 34 of these have become law in 19 states,” Hamm continued. “The POP is calling for passage of the Freedom To Vote Act (S 2747), For The People Act (H.R. 1), and The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (H.R. 4). These bills will protect and strengthen voting rights.”

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka tests positive for COVID-19

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka tested positive for COVID-19, he said.

The mayor said he is asymptomatic, and so far his family has not tested positive for the virus/

Sunday, October 24, 2021

Newark NJ’s Shakur Stevenson wins super-featherweight championship

In just his 17th professional fight, 24-year-old Newark NJ native, Shakur Stevenson stopped veteran Jamel Herring in 10 rounds to take Herring’s WBO 130-pound title.

Stevenson has now won major belts in two divisions.

“I feel like Jamel Herring is a great fighter. He’s tough. He’s real tough, he’s got great boxing skills, he’s got great power. I was just the better man tonight,” Stevenson told ESPN’s Bernardo Osuna. “Now that we’re not fighting, I love Jamel Herring, he’s definitely my friend. I don’t got no problem with Jamel. Tell his wife I’m sorry, I don’t want no trouble with you! She’s tough.”

Friday, June 18, 2021

New $77M court building in Newark named after Martin Luther King, Jr.

A new $77 million building along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Newark that houses 11 new courtrooms and offices for elections officials opened on Thursday.

The facility is called the Martin Luther King, Jr. Justice Building and a 22-foot statue of the late civil rights activist stands outside the structure. Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, Jr. said naming the structure after King was a natural fit since it’s located next to a plaza and a smaller statue that was dedicated to him in 2015.

The third and fourth floors of the building will house courtrooms for tax and general equity courts, which were formerly located in the Wilentz Justice Complex on Washington Street. The first and second floors will have offices for the Essex County clerk, superintendent of elections, board of elections, surrogate and the board of taxation.

Gov. Phil Murphy said naming the building after King was a step in the direction of gaining equality. Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver also said King “would be proud” of the project.

“Just over a year since the murder of George Floyd, we are on that long road to pursue equality and justice,” said Murphy. “And this building - in the name of an American hero unlike any other - is a huge step forward in that direction.”

The King statue that sits outside of the new building is made out of bronze and sits on an 8-foot-tall granite pedestal. It was created by Jay Warren, from Oregon, who also sculpted the smaller King statue that sat outside the neighboring county Hall of Records. The smaller statue was moved to the back of the new building.

“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools,” the engraving on the pedestal reads, quoting King. “But I know somehow, that only when it is dark enough, can you see the stars. I have decided to stick with love, hate is too great a burden to bear. Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?”

The project was funded through Essex County’s capital budget. Construction started in May 2020 and was completed in 13 months.

[SOURCE: NJ.COM]

Tuesday, June 15, 2021

Newark NJ to unveil statue of George Floyd

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka on Wednesday is set to unveil a statue of George Floyd that officials say will be displayed outside City Hall for at least a year.

“The artwork honors the life of George Floyd, an African-American man who was brutally murdered by a white Minneapolis police officer,” the mayor’s office said in a statement. “Mr. Floyd’s death elevated the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement which has resulted in an international response, including protests, police reform measures, and the removal of Confederate statues from public parks and racist names from organizations.”

Baraka will join actor, director, and filmmaker Leon Pickney, who commissioned the 700-pound statue and the sculptor, Stanley Watts, among other officials at the event, according to the mayor’s office. The event is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. outside City Hall on Board Street and will be streamed via the city’s Facebook page.

The statue was donated to the city this week as part of an effort to develop a “world class public art program,” in Newark, the announcement said.

[SOURCE: NJ.COM]

Thursday, October 15, 2020

Seton Hall and Prudential Center to host 2025 NCAA Regional in Newark NJ

Seton Hall University and Prudential Center in Newark NJ have been selected to host an NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament regional in 2025, the NCAA announced Wednesday as part of its unveiling of more than 450 selections of host sites for preliminary rounds and final sites of predetermined championships in Divisions I, II and III, with most to be held from 2022-23 through 2025-26. The regional will take place March 27 and 29 in 2025.

In response to the news, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka Tweeted:

Happy to have @NCAA #MarchMaddness return to Newark in 2025!!!

This will be the first NCAA men's basketball tournament site in the state of New Jersey since Prudential Center and Seton Hall hosted the East Regional in 2011. Seton Hall is one of six BIG EAST schools to receive a men's basketball tournament site in this cycle, joining Creighton, Georgetown, Marquette, Providence and St. John's.

The proud home arena for Seton Hall men's basketball, Prudential Center was ranked a top-10 venue in the U.S. earlier this year and annually hosts the biggest names in entertainment and sports.

The NCAA sports committees made the nearly 450 selections of host sites based on criteria that included the ability to create an outstanding experience for student-athletes, along with adherence to NCAA sport-specific bid specifications.

Specifications can include, but are not limited to, providing optimal facilities; ease of travel to the location and ample lodging; and adherence to NCAA principles, which include providing an atmosphere that is safe and respects the dignity of all attendees.

Saturday, July 11, 2020

Shakur Stevenson moving up to junior lightweight

Shakur Stevenson is vacating the WBO featherweight world title to move up to the junior lightweight division.

"We're moving on up ... We're getting all the belts, and everyone at 130 [pounds] can get it," Antonio Leonard, who co-promotes Stevenson, told ESPN on Thursday.

Stevenson, 23, won the vacant featherweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Joet Gonzalez in October. On June 9, Stevenson stopped Felix Caraballo in a non-title junior lightweight fight.

"I just didn't want to keep making that weight," Stevenson told ESPN. "I think I should be in the rankings to fight for a title [at junior lightweight] ASAP. I think I deserve it."

At the junior lightweight division, the belts are held by Miguel Berchelt (WBC), Jamel Herring (WBO), Joseph Diaz Jr. (IBF) and Rene Alvarado (WBA).

"We're putting all those guys on notice at 130," said Leonard, adding that Stevenson could be ready to fight again in August. "They can bring the belt, vacate them, because Shakur's going to whup everybody -- it don't matter who it is. We're taking on all comers."

[SOURCE: ESPN]

Friday, September 20, 2019

Booker Bill to Help Communities Get Lead Out of Drinking Water Passes House Unanimously




The House unanimously voted to pass legislation authored by New Jersey Senator Cory Booker that could help communities across the country, including Newark, remove lead from drinking water. The Water Infrastructure Funding Transfer Act now heads to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law.

Booker worked closely with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and House Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), and the New Jersey House delegation after last week’s passage in the Senate to ensure the legislation was quickly acted upon in the House. Specifically, the legislation would give states facing a threat to public health from lead in drinking water the flexibility to make a one-time transfer of the federal funds in their Clean Water State Revolving Fund to their Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for projects that will remove lead from drinking water. New Jersey would be able to transfer up to $100 million in federal funds for use toward the $120 million lead service line replacement project in Newark and projects in other municipalities.

“Last night’s passage of the Water Infrastructure Funding Transfer Act puts us one step closer to helping cities like Newark address the threat of lead in drinking water,” Sen. Booker, who lives in Newark, said. “Every American should have access to safe, clean drinking water, and this legislation will allow New Jersey to provide Newark with substantial funding as Newark moves to rapidly replace lead service lines.”

“Thank you Chairman Pallone and the New Jersey delegation for their work in quickly getting my legislation passed by the House of Representatives. I urge the President to sign this into law as soon as it reaches his desk to help states make critical repairs and upgrades to their aging drinking water systems.” 

“I am pleased that the House acted swiftly to follow the Senate’s lead and pass this common sense legislation,” Sen. Menendez said. “Our bill gives states like New Jersey added flexibility to tap needed federal funding to assist our communities grappling with the challenges of aging water infrastructure. I would implore President Trump to sign this legislation without delay in order to help the residents of Newark and its surrounding communities deal with the current situation of elevated lead in their drinking water. The federal government has a role in ensuring that each family has access to safe, clean drinking water. I will continue to fight for the critical resources New Jersey needs, while holding those federal agencies accountable for ensuring the health and well-being of our residents.”

“Every American has a right to clean drinking water. It is unacceptable that Newark’s residents have been living with elevated levels of lead in their water,” Chairman Pallone said. “Federal funds exist to help communities like those in New Jersey, but for some states, that funding is constrained from being used to address lead contamination. The House acted unanimously to change that, giving New Jersey the flexibility and resources it needs to replace lead pipes and give the people of Newark the clean water they deserve. I am proud to have expedited passage of this important legislation through the House and grateful for my colleagues’ urgent attention to this public health crisis.”

“I am excited to hear that the Water Infrastructure Funding Transfer Act passed,” said Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr.  “This is a badly needed step towards cleaner water my neighbors in Newark.  The problems with Newark’s water system could occur in any city with aging pipes nationwide.  Communities need the flexibility to spend federal funding to improve their water supply when necessary because nothing is more important than the health and safety of their residents.  I have been proud to work with Senator Booker, Congressman Pallone and national as well as local agencies to fix this problem as quickly as possible.  I will continue to do so until Newark’s water is clean.”  

“All Americans deserve access to clean drinking water, and the federal government has a responsibility to help communities that are struggling to meet that goal,” Congressman Albio Sires said. “I am proud to join my New Jersey colleagues in the House and Senate in supporting the Water Infrastructure Funding Act, to give New Jersey the flexibility to use federal infrastructure funding to upgrade its water systems. This common-sense bill will go a long way towards ensuring that Newark residents have access to clean water, and it can help other communities get ahead of any potential water infrastructure issues. We are our brothers’ keepers, and we cannot fail to act when our neighbors are in trouble. The bill is now awaiting the President’s signature and I sincerely hope that he will stand with us in protecting clean water for all Americans.”

“Yesterday, the New Jersey delegation worked together to get Senator Booker’s legislation unanimously passed by the House of Representatives,” Governor Murphy said. “States and municipalities can’t upgrade our nation’s aging water infrastructure alone and, once it is signed into law, this legislation will allow New Jersey to utilize up to $100 million in federal funds to help Newark and other cities fund the replacement of lead service lines. This is amazing news for our state and I applaud our congressional delegation for their efforts.”

“Last night's vote was a huge win for the City of Newark and many communities across the United States that are dealing with older, aging infrastructure,” Mayor Ras Baraka said. “Thank you to New Jersey Senators Booker and Menendez for creating opportunities and solutions to fund critical projects that will help eliminate lead service lines and provide clean, safe and healthy water to countless families.”

Since an engineering study was released in October 2018 finding that lead was leaching into Newark’s drinking water because of ineffective corrosion treatment at one of the City’s water treatment plants, Booker has worked tirelessly in the Senate to help the city get the federal resources it needs to fix the problem. In December, Booker urged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to include this measure he authored to provide a source of funding for Newark in a 2018 end-of-year spending bill. The measure wasn’t included in that spending deal, so Booker introduced the measure as a stand-alone bill in May and pushed its passage through the Environment and Public Works Committee, which he sits on, in June. The Committee filed a written report on the bill in July 2019.

Also in June, Booker worked to include the measure as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, which was moving through the Senate, but it was blocked by Republicans. Booker then worked to “hot-line” the bill for Senate passage before Congress broke for recess in early August, but the effort was again blocked by Republicans. Bills can be “hot-lined” for passage, which means they do not need to come to a vote on the Senate floor, if no Senator raises objections to the bill.

Since additional serious concerns over the lead in drinking water in Newark were reported in August, Booker has aggressively and repeatedly pushed the federal government to provide more resources for the city. He has helped pass out bottled water to affected residents and he met with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 2 Administrator Peter Lopez to discuss EPA’s duty and on-the-ground efforts in Newark. He also—along with Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Albio Sires (D-NJ), and Donald Payne Jr. (D-NJ) – urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help administer lead blood screenings for affected residents in Newark. That request followed a separate letter, Booker sent with New Jersey lawmakers urging the USDA to offer additional assistance to serve the immediate needs of Newark residents by making temporary changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children (WIC). The lawmakers also sent a letter to the EPA urging it to assist state and local efforts to deliver safe drinking water to Newark residents.

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Congressman Payne, Jr. visits Two Newark Facilities to Help Distribute Bottled Water

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. handed out bottled water and discussed Newark’s water crisis with residents at two local facilities Sept. 6. The Congressman spent more than two hours at the Bo Porter Sports Complex and the Boylan Street Recreation Center, where he helped residents get the clean water they needed and talked with them about their water concerns. The visits were part of the Congressman’s commitment to do everything possible to help local communities survive the crisis.

Congressman Payne, Jr. said he understands their concerns because he is one of them.

“As a resident and representative of Newark, I am very concerned about the discovery of elevated levels of lead in Newark’s water supply,” said Congressman Payne, Jr. “This is water my family and I drink regularly. Traditionally, Newark has been known for the quality of its water and had been known for some of the cleanest water in the country.”

He said the crisis in Newark is his top priority. He is working with local, state and national officials to solve it as quickly as possible. Congressman Payne, Jr. introduced the Test for Lead Act in Congress to establish stronger tests for lead in school drinking water across the country. Recently, he co-signed and sent letters to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Agriculture to make sure facilities and communities have enough bottled water to distribute until the city’s drinking water is considered safe.

But he wanted to see the situation and talk with affected residents personally. He said the urgency of the issue is one that requires physical as well as political action to get clean water to communities now and then make sure nothing like this tragedy happens in the future, especially when it comes to the safety of the district’s children.

“The greatest threat with this water issue is the health of our children,” said Congressman Payne, Jr. “We need to work tirelessly and immediately to guarantee what happened in Flint, MI. doesn’t happen anywhere else.”