TEACH-IN WILL DISCUSS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND FASCISM IN THE U.S.

A teach-in entitled  “The Disastrous Trump Dictatorship & Our Fight To Defeat A Fascist Regime,” will be held Saturday, December 13th, 10:30am at Bethany Baptist Church, 275 West Market Street, Newark, NJ. 

The event is sponsored by the People’s Organization For Progress and the Martin Luther King People’s Convention for Justice and Resistance Planning Committee, of which POP is a member. 

The guest speakers include Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, professor of constitutional law, attorney, author, and radio show host; Dr Kelly Harris, professor of Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania; Virginia Kay, a member of the Martin Luther King People’s Convention for Justice and Resistance Planning Committee, and Hanif Denny, a member of People’s Organization For Progress. POP chairman Lawrence Hamm will moderate the program. 

“The purpose of this program is to show how the Trump administration is rapidly moving away from the norms of a democratically elected to government and towards that of a dictatorship,” Lawrence Hamm, Chairman, People’s Organization For Progress stated. 

“Moreover we believe that the Trump administration is behaving like a fascist regime. So, at our program we will be discussing its fascist policies and how we organize to fight back to defeat this racist and fascist regime,” Hamm said. 

The program will open with songs from the Solidarity Singers followed by presentations from the speakers. A significant portion of the program will consist of questions, answers, and discussion between the speakers and the audience. Admission is free. Light refreshments will be served. 

The People’s Organization for progress is an all volunteer grassroots group that works racial, social, economic justice and peace. The multi-issue organization was founded 43 years ago in 1982. 

This is the second teach-in that POP has helped to organize this year. The first one was held on January 11th. The theme was “The Teachings of Martin Luther King vs Trump and Trumpism.”

The Martin Luther King People’s Convention for Justice and Resistance Planning Committee is the coordinating body of a coalition of organizations united in their opposition to policies of the Trump administration that was formed earlier this year. 

The coalition initially consisted of 300 organizations that endorsed the Martin Luther March of Resistance held on January 18th. Then last spring, 287 of those organizations endorsed the Martin Luther King People’s Convention for Justice and Resistance. 

Since then the convention planning committee for the coalition in conjunction with the People’s Organization For Progress helped organize No Kings protests against Trump that were held in June and October, and a John Lewis Good Trouble protest in July. All of these events took place in Newark. 

“Saturday’s teach-in will help prepare people for our upcoming second Martin Luther King March of Resistance. The teach-in will explore many of the issues that we will be marching about next month,” Hamm said. 

The second Martin Luther King March Of Resistance is planned for Monday, January 19, 2026, 12 noon, starting at the MLK Statue at 495 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd in Newark. 

Another Martin Luther King People’s Convention for Justice and Resistance is scheduled for Saturday, April 25th, and a Million People’s March Against Trump, is being called for Saturday, October 10, 2026 in Newark. 

“I urge everyone who is opposed to the policies of the Trump administration, its attacks on democracy, the growing racist and fascist movement in the U.S. and around the world, and the direction in which this country is going to attend the teach-in,”he said.

For more information about the teach-in or upcoming events contact the People’s Organization For Progress at (973)801-0001.

Congressional Black Caucus Statement on SCOTUS Ruling Upholding Trump-Republican Texas Maps

The Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement on SCOTUS Ruling Upholding Trump-Republican Texas Maps:

“The right-wing supermajority on the Supreme Court has dealt a blow to our democracy by shamefully rubber-stamping President Trump and Governor Abbott’s coordinated political scheme to stack the deck ahead of the midterms with a racially gerrymandered map that disenfranchises Black and Brown voters in Texas.

“The CBC and House Democrats are united in fighting back against this blatant effort to tear down our democracy and strip away our right to fair representation under the law.

“The Supreme Court has once again proven that it serves Donald Trump — not the American people. Our communities know all too well that justice is never handed over freely. We will continue to fight in Congress, in the courts, and in our communities until this racist, anti-democratic scheme fails.”

Congressional Black Caucus Statement on Trump’s Plan to Dismantle Education Department

Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement:

"The Trump Administration’s ongoing assault on the U.S. Department of Education (ED) undermines the protection of students' civil rights and the rule of law. By dismantling an agency that plays a critical role in civil rights enforcement — particularly for Black and minority students, students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Pell Grant recipients, children with disabilities, low-income communities, and English Language Learners — the Administration is jeopardizing educational opportunities for our most vulnerable communities.

“Let us be clear: the Trump Administration cannot close a federal agency without an act of Congress. Nearly every family, in every state, in every district, and in every zip code understands the vital role ED plays in supporting students and ensuring equal access to high-quality learning opportunities for our children. It’s time for Republicans in the majority to join Democrats in defending ED and the constitutional authority of Congress."

African Methodist Episcopal bishop, social justice advocate Reginald Jackson dies at 71

Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, a leader of the African Methodist Episcopal Church who was known for his commitment to voting rights and other social justice issues, died on Tuesday (Nov. 25).

Jackson, 71, died in Washington.

“With profound sorrow, the Jackson family announces the passing of Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, who transitioned unexpectedly,” his family said in a Wednesday statement. “We are heartbroken by this immeasurable loss and ask for your prayers, love, and respect for our privacy as we navigate this difficult time.”

Since 2024, Jackson had been serving a second four-year term as the chair of the predominantly Black denomination’s Social Action Commission. Known for his powerful preaching and political connections, Jackson also was the leader of the AME Church’s Second Episcopal District, which includes Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia and the District of Columbia.

“The African Methodist Episcopal Church honors Bishop Jackson’s extraordinary legacy of preaching, teaching, advocacy, and servant leadership,” said Bishop Silvester S. Beaman, president of its Council of Bishops, in a statement. “We extend our prayers and deepest condolences to his family, the Second Episcopal District, and all who mourn his passing.”

Political leaders from states where Jackson served over his five decades of ministry responded to his death along with religious officials.

“Mourning the loss of @BishopRTJackson, a leader of the beloved community and a stalwart for justice – wherever it could be made manifest,” former Georgia House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams said in a statement on X. “His tenure in Georgia transformed the lives of millions. He was a good and faithful servant.”

Jackson led the AME district that includes hundreds of churches in Georgia from 2016 to 2024. During that period, he was chair of Atlanta’s Morris Brown College, which regained its accreditation in 2022.

Jackson was among faith leaders who denounced Georgia’s passage of a 2021 elections bill, which banned offering water and food to people waiting in line to vote, and said the measure targeted people of color.

“He was at the forefront of that fight,” Matthew Frankel, an adviser who worked with Jackson on political policy, told Religion News Service. “That was his real passion point, was making sure that everyone who could vote was able to vote.”

Frankel said Jackson had experienced recent health issues but was continuing to serve the church and the bishop’s death was “a shock to the system.”

When he was elected bishop in 2012, Jackson was assigned to the district that included the African countries of Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Prior to becoming a bishop, Jackson led congregations in New Jersey, including St. Matthew AME Church in Orange, where he served for 31 years. He also was an educational leader, including president of a public school board and a county college board, and was influential in passage of legislation that ended the state’s death penalty and made racial profiling a crime, according to his biography on the website of the Second Episcopal District.

“Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Bishop Reginald T. Jackson,” said New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin in a statement on X. “He was a legend — a moral compass, a partner in the work of justice, and a voice our entire state relied on.”

Jackson’s connections in New Jersey led to tens of thousands in financial donations from then-Gov. Jon Corzine when he was running as an incumbent for reelection in 2009. Then head of the Black Ministers Council of New Jersey, Jackson confirmed receiving $87,000 in donations, which The Star-Ledger reported after a review of Corzine’s tax return.

Jackson said his endorsement of Corzine was unrelated to the financial gifts.

“I always support who I believe is the best candidate,” said Jackson, who stressed at the time that he had a long relationship with Republican Chris Christie, Corzine’s main rival. The minister said that $37,000 went to the development corporation of St. Matthew AME. The additional $50,000 was a contribution to Jackson’s unsuccessful second run for AME bishop.

“Just like there are some leaders that people don’t make decisions without consulting with them, that’s who he was in New Jersey,” said Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker, director of the AME Social Action Commission, in an interview.

Jackson eventually became bishop and was “our strongest voice,” as he continued to lead a district with Washington as its base, she said.

“He was an uncompromised conscience,” she told RNS. “Sometimes we say things in ways which are palatable and people will not be offended. He said it from the depth of his soul, and if you were offended, you were just offended.”

Jackson had spearheaded, and the bishops’ council approved, plans for a forthcoming convention including Black churches and other organizations, similar to one held in 1830 by AME Church founder Richard Allen to address social concerns. Dupont-Walker said, with Jackson’s death, the timing of such a gathering is uncertain.

Earlier this year, Jackson had joined in efforts to boycott Target over its scaling back of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. He was also vocal in his opposition to Trump administration policies and recent legislation, which Jackson said were having a detrimental effect on African Americans.

“Our churches must rise now,” he wrote in July in The Contrarian, a Substack account described as “Unflinching journalism in defense of democracy.”

“Our people must organize now. We need voter registration drives, policy teach-ins, and loud, public pressure on every member of Congress — Democrats and Republicans alike. We need our young people, our elders, our workers, and our warriors. We need a mass moral movement that makes clear: If you target our survival, we will target your seat.”

Jackson became a widower just short of a year ago when his wife, Episcopal Supervisor Christy Davis Jackson, who led missions activities in the Second Episcopal District, died.

Jackson returned to his native Dover, Delaware, over the weekend, and preached what would be his final sermon at the church where he had once given a sermon as a child, according to Dupont-Walker. Jackson urged the Dover congregants to be faithful beyond the walls of the church building.

“I just want to encourage you to continue to be a church at its best, a church that’s involved in what’s going on in the world,” he said. “The church at its best is not Sunday morning at 10:30. The church at its best is after the benediction, when you leave the Lord’s house, go into the Lord’s world. Make a difference in the Lord’s name, knowing you got God on your side, and he will never leave us alone.”

Statement From the National Bar Association on the Dismissal of the Case Against New York Attorney General Letitia James

The National Bar Association (NBA) affirms its unwavering support for New York Attorney General Letitia "Tish" James. The dismissal of the case against her is a powerful vindication of the rule of law. We commend the Court for upholding constitutional principles and reinforcing the essential checks and balances that protect our democracy. This outcome confirms what we have said from the beginning: the justice system must never be used as a political weapon.

Attorney General James has shown steadfast courage and commitment to her oath of office. Efforts to undermine her through meritless and procedurally flawed actions threaten judicial independence and weaken public confidence in our institutions. The law demands fairness, and today the Court has answered that call.

For more than a century, the National Bar Association has stood for justice and the protection of civil rights. We urge lawyers, judges, and citizens to remain vigilant in defending these principles. This moment reminds us that Freedom & Justice Cannot Wait!