By Lawrence Hamm\People’s Organization For Progress
Photos: YouTube Screenshots
The People’s Organization For Progress (POP) has publicly announced its endorsement of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka for governor in the upcoming New Jersey Democratic Primary Election on Tuesday, June 10th.
“The People’s Organization For Progress has endorsed Mayor Ras Baraka for governor because we believe that he is the best choice among the candidates running in the Democratic primary,” Lawrence Hamm, Chairman, People’s Organization For Progress stated.
“Ras Baraka will fight for the needs of working people, poor people, and the struggling middle class. And that’s what we need in these difficult times. We need a governor that’s going to fight hard for us,” Hamm said.
The POP spokesman had given his personal endorsement to the mayor’s candidacy for governor last year at a rally in Montclair. However, the organization decided to wait until now to make an endorsement in the primary race.
“POP has endorsed Baraka for governor because he is qualified, experienced, progressive, and committed to fighting for the people of New Jersey. He will address the high cost of living and fight for living wage jobs,” he said.
Hamm pointed out Baraka’s deep roots in the state. The mayor is a lifelong resident who was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey. All of his adult career has been spent in public service.
He attended public schools and graduated from college acquiring both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He is an educator who was a public school teacher and principal.
Baraka was also a community activist and organizer who protested against police brutality and other issues. This ultimately brought him into the political arena. He was elected to the Newark City Council, served as deputy mayor, and is a three term mayor of the largest city in the state.
“He is a father and husband who is raising a family in the city of Newark. This is one of the most important qualifications. It positions him to be acutely aware of and sensitive to the challenges and needs of working families in our state,” Hamm said.
“His work as an educator and principal, his time as a community activist, his years as councilman and mayor of the largest city in the state have given him the background and experience needed to prepare him to be the governor of this state,” he said.
Hamm went on to say that POP endorsed Mayor Baraka because he is the most politically progressive of the Democratic gubernatorial candidates, and has been outspoken on a number of issues that are a part of the progressive agenda.
Some of these include jobs and economic justice, raising the federal minimum wage, universal basic income, police brutality, reparations to African Americans for slavery, and defending immigrant rights.
“We are in an unusual and volatile political environment. It is unlike any we have seen in our life time. We have a president who wants to be a dictator and impose his will upon our state,” he said.
“In this highly charged political environment we need a governor who can stand up to President Trump and his fascist, racist, and right wing policies. Ras Baraka has demonstrated the ability to withstand that kind of pressure,” he said.
Most importantly, POP decided to endorse Mayor Baraka because he is a fighter Hamm said. “He speaks out on issues even when it is not the most popular or politically expedient thing to do, but because it is the right thing to do,” he said.
“Over and over we have seen him speak at the rallies and participate in the marches, demonstrations, and protests of those struggling against injustice,” Hamm stated.
“And he fights not only for causes that can be easily won but also those that require him to be in it for the long haul like police review boards with subpoena power, and reparations for African Americans,” he said
“We urge every voter to go to the polls on June 10th. Don’t sit this one out. Go and cast your ballot for Ras Baraka for governor of New Jersey,” he said.
