PEOPLE’S ORGANIZATION FOR PROGRESS WILL PROTEST TRUMP POLICIES AND TREATMENT OF DETAINEES AT ICE FACILITY

An “Eyes On ICE” protest against Trump administration policies and unjust treatment of immigrant detainees will take place tomorrow, Saturday, November 22nd, 12:00 noon, at Delaney Hall, 451 Doremus Avenue in Newark.

It is sponsored by the People’s Organization For Progress (POP) in conjunction with other organizations that have been having weekly and daily justice vigils for months at Delaney Hall.

“The purpose of this demonstration is to protest against the unfair and inhumane treatment of immigrant detainees and their families, and the failed policies of the Trump regime on immigration and other related issues,” Lawrence Hamm, Chairman, People’s Organization For Progress stated.

“We will protest against the brutality, violence, kidnappings, illegal detentions, and murders committed by ICE agents, border patrol officers, and police. We will demand an end mass deportation and incarceration, and private prisons,” Hamm said.

“We will demand the closure of Delaney Hall, a migrant detention center that has been operating in Newark. Many people from New Jersey, and other states have been held there, and we believe their rights have been violated,” he said.

“We will call for an end to troops in our streets, violations of constitutional, civil and human rights, mass surveillance and political repression, and the unjust prosecution of protestors and elected representatives who speak out against Trump’s unjust policies,” he said.

The social justice activist said that he believed that the arrest of Mayor Baraka on May 9th at Delaney Hall, and the subsequent indictment of Congresswoman LaMonica McIver who was present when it occurred was politically motivated.

The charges against Baraka in connection with that arrest were dropped. However, Congresswoman McIver has been indicted on three counts of assault, resisting arrest, and interfering with federal officials. If convicted she could face up to 17 years in prison.

“POP believes that Congresswoman McIver is innocent. She should not have been charged,” he said.

“When the incident occurred she was there doing her job, conducting an oversight visit which she has the authority to do as a congressional representative,” he said.

Hamm said they will also be protesting against war with Venezuela, and the genocide in Gaza. “These U.S. wars abroad are directly connected to our oppression at home,” he said.

POP is organizing a caravan to get people to the demonstration at Delaney Hall. People who need transportation to the event and those who can provide rides should meet 10:30am in front of City Hall, 920 Broad street in Newark.

For more information call the People's Organization For Progress (POP) at (973)801-0001.

New book by Abby Phillip about Jesse Jackson: A Dream Deferred: Jesse Jackson and the Fight for Black Political Power

A Dream Deferred: Jesse Jackson and the Fight for Black Political Power

Jesse Jackson, the civil rights leader, activist, raconteur, and political candidate, finally gets a book worthy of his stature courtesy of CNN anchor Abby Phillip.

Focusing on his presidential runs in 1984 and, especially, 1988, Phillip highlights how Jackson built an unlikely coalition that showed how Black political power could be consolidated. His experience working under Martin Luther King; his organizing the SLCC’s Operation Breadbasket in Chicago and beyond; and his roots in the deep South combined into two astonishingly impactful presidential campaigns. Appealing to the working people of urban enclaves like that of Chicago, young people on college campuses, and Black people across the South, he created the modern Democratic coalition―one that has been used by all major Democrats seeking national success from Obama to Biden to Harris. With her expert reporting, natural storytelling skills, and a story so full of humanity, politics, and hope, Abby Phillip has written a rousing popular history that sheds new light on an American icon.

Check out the book here: A Dream Deferred: Jesse Jackson and the Fight for Black Political Power: Phillip, Abby: 9781250806314: Amazon.com: Books

HAMM URGES NEW YORKERS TO VOTE FOR MAMDANI IN MAYORAL RACE

A well known New Jersey based political and civil rights activist urged voters today to cast their ballots for Zohran Mamdani in the New York mayoral race on Election Day, Tuesday, November 4th.

“I urge all New Yorkers who have not cast their ballots during early voting to vote for Mamdani on Election Day,” Lawrence Hamm, who is chairman of the Newark based People’s Organization For Progress (POP), stated.

POP is an all volunteer grassroots organization that works for racial, social, economic justice and peace. It was founded in 1982 and has been active around a variety of local, state, regional, national and international issues affecting black people and urban communities.

“Although I am not a New York City resident I believe that the outcome of the election will have an impact on people in New Jersey and the rest of the nation,” Hamm said.

“Mamdani’s election will be yet another powerful positive political signal that people are tired of the status quo. It will demonstrate that they want new leadership, and new policies that will bring about real improvement in the quality of their lives,” he said.

“And a victory for Mamdani will also be a defeat for President Trump and his racist and fascist MAGA movement. Trump
has not only opposed Mamdani but has threatened to withhold federal funds from the city if he is elected which would be illegal,” he said.

Trump has endorsed Mamdani’s opponent former Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat who Mamdani defeated in the Democratic primary, rather than Curtis Sliwa the winner of the Republican primary. 

“A victory for Andrew Cuomo will be a victory for Donald Trump. And you can be sure that Trump will claim that victory as his own, and that Andrew Cuomo will be beholden to him,” he said.

“I make this endorsement freely. My statement is unsolicited. Neither the candidate nor any of his staff have asked for this endorsement,” he said. 

Hamm has also made endorsements in the gubernatorial race in his home state of  New Jersey. Last week he issued a statement on behalf of the People’s Organization For Progress which had voted to endorse Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill for governor and Dr Dale Caldwell for Lieutenant Governor.

A former U.S. Senate candidate, Hamm also issued a personal endorsement of Sherrill and Caldwell urging those who had voted for him in last year’s Democratic primary to cast their ballots for them on Election Day.

“Don’t let the scare tactics of Cuomo and others keep you from voting for Mamdani who is the candidate in this race that will fight the hardest for working people, poor folks and the middle class,” Hamm said.

“They try to use the fact that he is a democratic socialist to make you afraid to vote for him.

“Remember, some of our greatest freedom fighters including Eugene V. Deb’s, Dr Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, Paul Robeson, W.E.B. Dubois, A. Philip Randolph, Amiri Baraka, Huey P. Newton and others were democratic socialists or held anti-capitalist or pro-socialist views.

“Mamdani would not be the first socialist or radical to hold elected office in New York City. Mayor David Dinkins was a democratic socialist and a member of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), and there have been others,” he said.

“They have tried to accuse Mamdani of antisemitism. Just because you are critical of unjust or racist policies of the Israeli government that does not make you antisemitic. Mamdani has many Jewish supporters,” he said.

“It is sad to say that some of Mamdani’s critics have tried to turn voters against him because of his religion. They say that people shouldn’t vote for him because he is a Muslim. 

“That is disgusting and disgraceful. No one’s religion should prevent them from holding office. Islamophobia should have no place in our elections or our society.” he said.  

“The elections in New Jersey, New York City, and Virginia are bellwethers for the upcoming midterm elections in 2026. Massive voter turnout and Democratic victories in all three would be major blows to Trump and his racist and fascist MAGA movement,” he said. 

For more information contact the People’s Organization For Progress at (973) 801-0001. 

LAWRENCE HAMM, FORMER SENATE CANDIDATE, ENDORSES SHERRILL FOR GOVERNOR AND CALDWELL FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

Lawrence Hamm, a former U.S. Senate candidate and long-time political activist, announced his endorsement today of Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill for Governor and Dr Dale Caldwell for Lieutenant Governor, the Democratic candidates in New Jersey’s general election.

“I have already cast my ballot for Representative Sherrill and Dr Caldwell. I urge every voter to cast your ballot for them now during early voting or on Election Day, Tuesday, November 4th,” Lawrence Hamm stated.

“I especially urge those people who voted for me when I ran for the U.S. Senate to vote Sherrill and Caldwell. Your votes are important. In a tight race like this they could very well be the votes that help them win this race,” Hamm said.

Hamm was a candidate for U.S. Senator for New Jersey twice. He ran in the 2020 Democratic primary and again in 2024.

In the 2021 gubernatorial election Gov Phil Murphy received 1,329,471 votes. He won with 51.2% of the vote. Jack Ciattarelli got 48% with 1,255,185 votes.

“I went to my early voting polling place on Sunday. I voted for Sherrill and Caldwell because we need political leadership in this state that will work for us, not against us,” he said.

Hamm said that he believes that both are imminently qualified and possess the leadership skills needed for the offices they are seeking. Sherrill’s military and congressional experience, and Caldwell’s background as an educator, administrator, and leader in academia complement each other.

If Sherrill is elected she will be the first Democratic woman governor, and Caldwell would be the first African American man to serve as lieutenant governor in New Jersey.

“During these perilous times we have an administration in Washington whose policies are antithetical to the interests of the majority of the people of our state. I believe that Sherrill and Caldwell will stand up to Trump and fight for New Jersey,” he said.

Hamm urged every person that is registered to vote in this election. He said people should not be complacent and presume that Sherrill and Caldwell are going to win because they are leading in the polls.

“Don’t stay home because you think they are going to win. One of the reasons Trump got elected was because too many of us stayed home and did not vote,” he said

“And don’t stay away from the polls because you think it won’t make a difference. Some people did that last year and I think we can all see that the election of Trump has made a terrible difference,” he said.

“Come out and vote in record numbers. This election is very close. Every vote is going to count. Your vote could be the difference between victory and defeat,” he said.

During the Democratic primary for governor earlier this year Hamm endorsed and supported Newark Mayor Ras Baraka in that race.  Sherrill won the primary and Baraka came in second place.

“There were six candidates in the primary. Baraka surprised many with his strong second place finish. However, Sherrill won. Democrats must now unite behind the Sherrill and Caldwell ticket to ensure victory,” Hamm said.

The People’s Organization For Progress, a grassroots social justice organization led by Hamm has also endorsed the Democratic ticket. Speaking on behalf of the group Hamm said a victory for Sherrill would be a defeat for Trump.

“I am making this endorsement because I want it to be clear to those that voted for me and to the general public that I was also personally supporting the Sherrill and Caldwell team,” he said.

For more information contact Lawrence Hamm at (973)801-0001.

Hampton University statement on BLEXIT situation

Hampton University is aware of an incident involving representatives of an organization known as BLEXITwho attempted to access campus during Homecoming weekend without proper authorization. While the organization has suggested that their filming activity was “shut down,” that narrative is inaccurate. This was not a matter of suppression; it was a matter of safety, procedure, and fairness.

Hampton University is a private institution with clearly established processes for campus access, vendor participation, and media activity. The organization did not complete the required Homecoming vendor application or pay the associated fees. This procedural failure meant they were not approved to participate, consistent with University policy and communicated in advance to all applicants. Of the 36 applications submitted, 18 were approved; BLEXIT was among those that did not meet the stated requirements.

As a matter of public safety, Hampton must know who is on campus, why they are here, and how to contact them in case of an emergency. Vendors and guests following established procedures allow us to coordinate access and ensure that all participants are properly credentialed and protected. Without this step, we cannot extend the privileges of official guest status or guarantee safety protocols.

In the week leading up to Homecoming, vendors who did not meet deadlines were notified that walk-on participation would not be accommodated and that unauthorized individuals would be escorted off private property. These measures are designed to protect students, staff, and guests.

Hampton University operates with three priorities: to know every group on campus, to facilitate their participation in activities, and to protect the well-being of all involved. In today’s environment, that level of coordination is essential to maintaining safety and a frictionless experience for the nearly 15,000 people who attended Homecoming.

Hampton University welcomes organizations and speakers representing a variety of perspectives, provided they follow established protocols. BLEXIT failed to meet those standards.

Our foremost responsibility is the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, staff, and guests. Upholding University procedures ensures a secure, respectful, and welcoming environment for all who visit our Home by the Sea.