Larry Hamm Confirms His Bid to Win a Seat in the US Senate

Newark, NJ-On Sunday, December 22, 2019, Larry Hamm, one of the most respected community leaders and community organizers in America, rose to the rostrum at the REFAL Afrikan-centric community center in the city of Newark to confirm to the people that he is seeking to be elected to the United States Senate. The packed multi-religious, multicultural, and multiracial audience exploded in jubilation at his decision to run against the sitting US Senator Cory Booker. But first Hamm must win in the Democratic primary coming up in June of 2020 to be eligible to be elected to the US Senate.

Earlier last week, Larry Hamm got the streets of New Jersey buzzing over the breaking news about him possibly running for US Senator. Larry Hamm, the Afrikan centric Black conscious New Jersey State Chairman of the People’s Organization for Progress and longtime human rights activist, created news about his run for US Senator after tweeting about a community meeting to build a solid organization for his run for US Senate.

Sunday’s meeting drew hundreds of people from all over the state of New Jersey. Hamm said confidently, “He is in it to win it.”

Baba Zayid Muhammad, a veteran Black liberation community activist in the tri-state area, was impressed with the intergenerational support Hamm is receiving since his announcement for US Senate. He said, “all these groups are needed to help get the vote out for brother Larry.” He also added this about Hamm, “I have known brother Larry Hamm for over 40 years. He has been a principled leader and organizer in the protracted struggle for social justice and Black power in America. If anyone will genuinely represent the people in Congress, it will be brother Larry.”

In his efforts to take a seat in the US Congressional Senate, it will take massive organization to seize political power from the power structure in New Jersey and in America.

Hamm said that his campaign will be structurally connected to Bernie Sanders’ campaign for US president. He said, “When Bernie Sanders is elected president he will need a US Senator from New Jersey who will fully support his agenda for racial, social, economic, environmental justice and peace. That is why I am running as a candidate for US Senate in 2020. I will fight hard in the Senate for the people’s progressive agenda.”

Hamm’s track record is impeccable. For over 50 years, he has been fighting on behalf of Black people, Latino people, marginalized people, Gay and Lesbian people, working class people, poor White people, Union workers, Jewish people, immigrants, Muslims, the environment, and all oppressed people.

The help that Hamm is reaching out to will have their hands full this election season. The Larry Hamm campaign for US Senate will be up against big money, Republicans, Democrats, the Democratic machine, the system of racism, White supremacy, Black people connected to the Democratic machine, Black people connected to the Republican Party, elected officials connected to the Democratic machine, elected officials connected to the Republican Party, Black people protective of the power structure, people in general connected to the power structure, and the power structure itself.

But Larry Hamm is a veteran community activist, community organizer, and community leader. Although he is based in Newark, NJ, his experienced leadership stretches across the United States of America. However, If anyone will protect the interests of everyday people in New Jersey, many people believe it will be Larry Adhimu Chunga Hamm. Adhimu Chunga is the Afrikan name given to brother Larry in early 1970s from Newark, NJ’s great and legendary Black power leader Imamu Amiri Baraka.

Larry Hamm has been a relentless advocate for Afrikan-American people and the cause of human rights for more than 50 years. Raised in Newark New Jersey, he attended public schools and emerged at age 17 as a forceful and articulate spokesperson for the educational needs and aspirations of Newark students and the community. He was appointed to the Newark Board of Education, making him the youngest school board member in the United States. While at Princeton University (Larry received his Bachelor's degree there in 1978) Larry distinguished himself during the anti-apartheid movement by organizing student protests and calling attention to Princeton's financial investment in apartheid South Africa. These protests, and the rising tide of public indignation, resulted in Princeton University's divestment in the apartheid South African economy. Larry Hamm's impact as a student activist at Princeton is chronicled in the documentary film, "Blacks at Princeton." After graduation, Hamm returned to Newark and became active in local politics. He served as district leader and president of the 24th District Assembly. Larry was the founder and director of the People's Energy Cooperative, a community fuel oil cooperative. He served as the Director of the Community Organization Program for the United Church of Christ Commission For Racial Justice. During 1986, Larry traveled with the Reverend Ben Chavis throughout the deep south to retrace the route of the 1960's Freedom Rides. Chavis, Hamm and busloads of activists conducted voter registration drives in Alabama. Larry helped organize the People's Organization For Progress (POP), an independent, grass roots, political organization that is active in the Newark and northern New Jersey area. As chairman, Larry has consistently worked toward building unity among community organizations. The struggle for quality education, employment opportunities, access to health care and against racial profiling, and police brutality continues through the efforts of its Chairman, Larry Hamm, and the activism of the organization's members. Larry was received many awards, among them are "One Of The Most Influential Blacks in New Jersey Award" (City News) and "The Hope Shapiro Bread and Roses Peace Award" (New Jersey Peace Action).

Larry Hamm, the progressive leader for the last five decades, will challenge Cory Booker in the 2020 Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.

Booker is currently campaigning for the Democratic nomination for president. However, If he does not get the presidential nomination, he will return to New Jersey to run for re-election as an US Senator. At his disposal will be the resources and the support of the Democratic establishment in the entire state of New Jersey and in America.

A massive Larry Hamm for US Senate rally will be forthcoming in New Jersey.

If you are interested in supporting or volunteering for the Larry Hamm for US Senator campaign, the next meeting will be Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 3pm at REFAL, 271 So. 9th St in Newark, NJ. (Corner of So. 9th St. & 13th Av.) So. 9th St. & 13th Av.). For information, please call 973 801-0001.

Hotep!!! (Peace)!!!

-Bashir Muhammad Akinyele is a History Teacher, Black Studies Teacher, Community Activist, Chairperson of Weequahic High School’s Black History Month Committee in Newark, NJ, commentary writer, and Co-Producer and Co-Host of the All Politics Are Local, the number #1 political Hip Hip radio show in America. I can be reached at bashir.akinyele@gmail.com

Note: Spelling Afrika with a k is not a typo. Using the k in Afrika is the Kiswahili way of writing Africa. Kiswahili is a Pan -Afrikan language. It is spoken in many countries in Afrika.