By Lawrence Hamm
Photos: YouTube Screenshots
The Martin Luther King People’s Convention for Justice And Resistance was held Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Essex County College in Newark, New Jersey. It was sponsored by the People’s Organization For Progress and endorsed by 287 organizations.
The convention ratified a wide ranging agenda of social, political, and economic justice reforms. It called for the impeachment of President Trump and a million people march on Washington. The gathering was also addressed by candidates running for governor of New Jersey.
“The purpose of the convention was to develop an agenda for justice and resistance to efforts, including those of the Trump administration, to overturn nearly a century of social progress. We accomplished that goal,” Lawrence Hamm, Chairman, People’s Organization For Progress stated.
“We have moved from a march of resistance to a convention for continued resistance. This shows the commitment of our coalition to be heard and push back against those in power who are rolling out racist and divisive policies that hurt the people,” Charles Hall, President, Local 108 Retail Wholesale Department Store Union UFCW stated, whose union endorsed the convention.
“IUPAT DC 21 NJ was proud to partner with over 280 New Jersey organizations as part of IUPAT’s annual Community Day of Action; as we know better than most that when labor unions organize with local community groups for political reform, we amplify our collective influence on policy decisions and electoral outcomes,” Robert W Wood, IUPAT DC 21 Assistant Business Manager /Secretary Treasurer, North & Central New Jersey stated whose union also endorsed the convention.
The agenda ratified by the convention was contained in a 50 page document, made up of 24 resolutions, that was distributed to the more than 250 delegates when they registered at the start of the the event. Many of the resolutions dealt with multiple issues. The resolutions were passed during three plenary sessions, one in the morning, and two in the afternoon.
“Besides formulating a platform of progressive social and economic reforms to fight for we also came out of the convention with a program of action. Most of the resolutions had action items included,” Hamm said.
“Included among the many action items was a resolution calling for support for articles of impeachment against President Trump. Another resolution that passed called for a million people to march on Washington to demonstrate opposition to Trump’s policies,” he said.
Some of the domestic issues resolutions passed included the establishment of a living wage, guaranteed annual income, Medicare For All, reparations for African Americans, establishment of police review boards with subpoena powers, same day voter registration, free college, and abolition of student debt.
Other resolutions were stop budget cuts to public education, more affordable housing and rent control, passage of the PRO Act to support union organizing, passage of the Immigrant Trust Act, and stop dismantling of Department of Veteran Affairs.
Also passed were shift from fossil fuels and pollution to clean energy economy, elimination of poverty and homelessness, repeal of billionaire and corporate tax cuts, protection of free speech and the right to protest, legislation to stop white supremacist domestic terrorism, and many more.
There were a number of foreign affairs resolutions that were introduced and passed at the convention. Among them were a call for an end to the genocidal war against the Palestinians and halting military aid and arms sales to Israel.
The convention also called for lifting the blockade against Cuba, and for the U.S. and other western powers to stop interfering in the affairs of African countries and recognizing their right to self-determination.
“Friendly amendments to a number of the resolutions were introduced and accepted before final passage. All the resolutions including those that were amended will be published in a document that will be distributed to convention participants, endorsing organizations, and elected officials,” he said.
“We were also able to hear from candidates running for governor of this state who informed us of their positions on issues that are part of our agenda,” Hamm said.
The second plenary session was followed by a gubernatorial forum that was held in the afternoon. The Democratic primary hopefuls attending that session included Mayor Ras Baraka, and former state senate president Steve Sweeney.
South Orange Mayor Sheena Collum, a surrogate for candidate Steven Fulop, Mayor of Jersey City, was in attendance. In April, Fulop announced Collum as his running mate for Lieutenant Governor should he win the NJ Democratic Primary Election.
Senator Jon Bramnick a candidate for governor in the Republican primary was invited and said he was going to attend but he did not make an appearance. Stephen Zielinski, the Green Party candidate for governor also attended.
Finally, the work of the coalition that produced the convention did not end on Saturday. It is ongoing. A resolution was passed for similar conventions to be held annually for the next three years. The convention planning committee will continue to meet.
A meeting to evaluate the convention and consider future action has been scheduled. It will take place at Monday, May 5, 2025, 6:00pm at Bethany Baptist Church, 275 West Market Street in Newark, New Jersey.
For more information about the meeting or upcoming activities call People’s Organization For Progress at (973)801-0001.
