Newark Protest Against ‘Police Brutality’ Will Start At Union Office

NEWARK, NJ — Activists in Newark continue to demand reforms to prevent police abuse in New Jersey – including giving “subpoena power” to local civilian review boards.

The Newark-based People’s Organization For Progress (POP) is planning to join a “National Day Of Protest Against Police Brutality” on Tuesday, Oct. 22.

According to a statement from the local advocacy group, it will be hosting a march and rally at 5 p.m. at the Fraternal Order Of Police (FOP) Lodge #12 at 51 Rector Street in Newark.

Organizers said the demonstration will begin at the FOP lodge and then protestors will march to the federal building at 970 Broad Street in Newark. Speakers at the protest will include activists and family members of police brutality victims.

“The purpose of the demonstration we are having is to highlight the issue of police brutality, draw attention to police brutality cases in this state and throughout the country, and demand police review boards with subpoena power and other necessary reforms to deal with this problem,” said Lawrence Hamm, chair of the POP and a former U.S. Senate candidate.

“We are starting our protest at the police lodge because it went into court and blocked efforts to establish police review boards in New Jersey,” Hamm said.

The union has been one of the loudest critics of Newark’s Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB), which was launched in 2016 as part of a landmark consent decree between the U.S Justice Department and the city.

Newark’s police unions immediately challenged the CCRB’s authority, igniting a long-running legal battle between the city and Newark Lodge No. 12.

In 2020, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled in favor of the union, upholding some of the board’s powers – but putting the kibosh on others. See Related: NJ Supreme Court Limits Newark's Power To Probe Police Abuse

“Since then, we have supported legislation that will make it possible for municipalities to create police review boards with subpoena powers,” Hamm said.

“However, the New Jersey Legislature has not voted on these bills during the past four years,” he added, alleging that opposition from the FOP and other police groups has contributed to the lack of legislative action.

Hamm said that Tuesday’s protest is also being held to call for reform among the New Jersey State Police.

Major reforms are coming to the state police agency after a pair of investigations revealed "deeply troubling conduct and systemic problems" within the force, the state attorney general announced last month. See Related: AG Investigations Reveal 'Deeply Troubling Conduct' By NJ State Police

At a press conference held two weeks ago the NAACP state chapter called for the resignations of state police leadership – an event that the POP supported, Hamm said.

The longtime advocate added that more changes are needed beyond what the attorney general’s office is recommending. One of them? A civilian oversight board for the New Jersey State Police.

Hamm said the POP is supporting the George Floyd Justice In Policing Act of 2024 and the Breathe Act on the federal level, and A-3441 on the state level, which would enable local municipalities to establish police review boards with subpoena powers.

“In New Jersey we want justice for Carl Dorsey, Najee Seabrooks, Bernard Placide, Andrew Washington, Major Gulia Dale III, Victoria Lee Jujuan Henderson and others,” Hamm urged, also naming other “police brutality victims” across the country such as Breonna Taylor, Tyre Nichols, Roger Fortson and Jayland Walker.

Newark Lodge No. 12 represents about 850 active police officers and more than 700 retirees, negotiating benefits, salaries and work schedules on their behalf.

Patch reached out to the union via email seeking comment about the planned demonstration. We will update this article with any reply we receive.

• See Related: Newark Police Union, Community Groups Clash As Mayor Urges Unity

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