Forum In Montclair Will Discuss Ways To 'Fight Back' Against Racism

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A forum about the current state of social justice in America – and how to “fight back” against racism – will take place in Montclair on Friday, June 26.

The second part of a forum entitled “The Attack On Voting Rights And The War On Black People,” will be held at 7 p.m. at St Paul’s Baptist Church, 119 Elm Street.

The event is sponsored by the People’s Organization For Progress (POP), a grassroots volunteer group based in Essex County.

“The purpose of this forum is to give people an opportunity to continue our dialogue on the negative impact of the racist and fascist domestic and foreign policies of the Trump administration on Black people and strategies for fighting back,” said the group’s chair, Lawrence Hamm.

Hamm said the court’s decision enables state legislatures to redraw their congressional districts and “eliminate” those which have large Black populations. This could result in the loss of as many as 19 congressional seats now held by African Americans, he said.

Besides voter suppression and the current “attack on voting rights,” Hamm cited other reasons for calling the forum, including racist violence, police brutality, the impact of the Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action in colleges, unemployment and federal budget cuts.

Organizers noted that the forum is taking place in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the Louisiana v. Callais case, which many civil rights advocates say dealt a severe blow to the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

The May 29 forum featured presentations from elected officials, community leaders and activists. This forum will be focused on audience participation, organizers said.

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

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