Newark March Planned For Anniversary Of MLK Assassination

NEWARK, NJ — A march for “voting rights, equality and democracy” is being planned in Newark on the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination.

The People’s Organization For Progress (POP) is spearheading a march on Monday, April 4. It will start at 5 p.m. 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, organizers said.

“We are calling this march because although the U.S. Senate failed to pass voting rights legislation, the fight for voting rights must continue,” POP chair and former Senate candidate Lawrence Hamm said.

The group is calling for people to register at least a million new voters by October, he said.

“We want to see millions marching to the polls on Election Day,” Hamm said.

Hamm said he believes it’s time for people to “stand up and fight back against the relentless attack on voting rights, equal rights, civil liberties and democratic elections being waged by the racist, white supremacist and fascist movement in the United States led by [former president] Donald Trump.”

“The U.S. is facing a profound political crisis,” Hamm added. “We stand at the crossroads between democracy and fascism. The attempt to thwart democracy did not end with last year’s failed coup.”

Hamm said the group is also marching on April 4 to “demand the arrest and prosecution of Donald Trump and all those that planned and carried out the January 6th coup attempt.”

“Now is the time for ‘good trouble,’” Hamm said. “In the spirit of the Civil Rights Movement, we need massive nonviolent direct action. We need millions of people to go to the streets in defense of democracy, equality and justice.”

Hamm said the POP wants as many people as possible to come to the protest in Newark on April 4, but if people can’t make it, they should organize demonstrations in their towns and cities – just as they did for George Floyd and other victims of police brutality.

“Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated because of his participation in the struggle for racial equality, political empowerment, economic justice and peace,” Hamm said. “Let us honor him by continuing to struggle for the things he was fighting for until they are achieved.”

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