‘Rally To Protect Democracy’ Planned In Essex County On Jan. 6

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Several “January 6 Rallies to Protect Democracy” are being planned in New Jersey, including one in South Orange, on the anniversary of last year's U.S. Capitol insurrection.

The anniversary of the Jan. 6 riot falls on Thursday. Last year, a mob of people supporting former president Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol in an unsuccessful attempt to stop Congress from certifying Joe Biden's electoral victory.

Five people died either before, during or shortly after the event, including one person shot by Capitol police, another from a drug overdose and three who perished from natural causes. Four officers who responded to the attack have died by suicide within seven months.

A nationwide day of action is being planned to “remember the insurrection” and honor those who died, with several events planned in New Jersey.

The rally/vigil in South Orange is scheduled to take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Spiotta Park, 20-32 Village Plaza. Face masks and vaccinations are required, organizers said. Learn more here.

Organizers of the South Orange event – including the New Jersey Working Families Alliance – shared the following message about why they’re holding the rally:

“The January 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection was a deadly attack on our country and our democracy. One year later, the American foundation of our government, for the people and by the people, remains under attack. The movement to subvert our ability to choose our own leaders with free and fair elections is gaining ground, with continued assaults on our voting rights and our freedom to vote. At this critical moment, we need our elected leaders to pass urgent legislation to protect our country against anti-democratic forces. We need all Americans, regardless of party affiliation, race and background to stand together to defend our democracy. On January 6, 2022, we will join together to honor those that died, remember the insurrection, and learn how each one of us can take action to protect our democracy. Stand up with us at 6:30 p.m. on Jan 6th 2022 at Spiotta Park in South Orange to Rally to Protect our Democracy!”

The Newark-based People’s Organization For Progress (POP) is one of several groups endorsing the rally in South Orange.

“On January 6, 2021 there was an attempted coup in the United States,” said the group’s chair and former U.S. Senate candidate, Lawrence Hamm.

“Violent white supremacists and fascists attacked the Capitol Building and Congress with the intent of preventing Joe Biden, who had won the 2020 presidential election, from taking office,” Hamm continued. “This was a blatant attempt to overturn an election and subvert the democratic process. Fortunately, this time it failed. However, the efforts of Donald Trump and those who supported the coup are ongoing.”

“The POP has endorsed this rally for democracy because it will focus public attention on what we can do to stop future coup attempts, and how we can protect voting rights and elections in this country,” Hamm said.

Other North Jersey social justice advocates, groups and nonprofits have been supporting the South Orange rally as well.

This article contains reporting by Josh Bakan, Patch staff

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