PEOPLE’S ORGANIZATION FOR PROGRESS (POP)
PO BOX 22505
NEWARK, NJ 07101
973 801-0001
www.njpop.org
CONTACT: LAWRENCE HAMM
JUNE 18, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE
PEOPLE’S ORGANIZATION FOR PROGRESS HOLDS RALLY AGAINST TRUMP DICTATORSHIP IN NEWARK
A counter protest was held last weekend to President Trump’s Washington DC celebration of his 80th birthday and the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding.
The protest entitled “End The Trump Dictatorship March And Rally,” was held Sunday, June 14th at the Rodino Federal Building in Newark, New Jersey.
It was sponsored by the People’s Organization For Progress (POP), and endorsed by the Martin Luther King People’s Convention for Justice and Resistance Planning Committee.
The demonstration in Newark was one of many “No Kings” protests that took place across the country. POP held a similar demonstration
on the same date last year, and additional anti-Trump protests since then. “President Trump’s celebration was an exercise in self-aggrandizement. Its message was that his administration is the best the country has ever had,”
Lawrence Hamm, Chairman, People’s Organization For Progress stated.
“The purpose of our demonstration was to show that in fact it is one of the worst. Trump is a 21st century would be dictator,” Hamm said.
“His regime is certainly the most openly racist, corrupt, repressive, and dangerous presidential administration of our lifetime,” he said.
The protestors gathered at the federal building and began with a demonstration on Broad Street while the Solidarity Singers, a folk music group, gave a mini concert on the sidewalk.
Demonstrators lined up side by side in the roadway facing the traffic so drivers could see the large six foot black and white banners they were holding with their anti-Trump messages.
About 30 of these banners stretched down the block. Each had a different message such as “End Trump Dictatorship,” “Impeach Trump,” “Trump Must Go,” “Trump Is A Fascist,” and “We Have No Kings.”
Those holding the large banners were joined by other protestors who had their own hand made signs, and still others who had no signs at all. While on the line they all chanted anti-Trump slogans.
The line stretched down the block. Drivers slowed to read the signs. Traffic filled the street.
“Drivers of cars and trucks honked their horns in support. Four squad cars of Newark police were on the scene to monitor the situation. However, they did not interfere with the protest,” he said.
While the demonstration was taking place a number of speakers addressed the protesters. Some of those who spoke included Baba Zayid Muhammad, New Jersey Communities for Accountable Policing, and Larry Adams, Vice Chairman, People’s Organization For Progress.
About halfway through the demonstration the protestors moved out of the street and onto the sidewalk. They set up a picket line in front of the entrance to the federal building. Speakers continued to talk while the protesters picketed.
Other speakers included Newark Councilwoman Louise Scott-Roundtree, Tova Fry, Pal-Awda NY/NJ, Ryan Novosielski, Co-President HPAE Local 5094, Hanif Denny, People’s Organization For Progress, and Diane Beeny, Solidarity Singers.
The youngest speaker of the day was 18 year-old Craig Allen Stanley Jr representing his father former Assemblyman Craig Stanley who could not attend. POP Chairman Lawrence Hamm also spoke.
All of the speakers addressed the various demands of the protest. “We demanded the impeachment or removal of Trump as president, restoration of the Voting Rights Act, passage of the John Lewis voting rights bills by Congress and the New Jersey legislature, the removal of federal troops from Washington DC and other cities, and impeachment of members of the Supreme Court,” Hamm said.
Several speakers discussed foreign policy issues such as ending the U.S. war against Iran, ending the U.S. blockade and sanctions against Cuba and opposing a military invasion of that country, and a halt to Israel’s genocidal war against the Palestinians and ending U.S. military aid to Israel.
The demand for justice at Delaney Hall, where detainees are on a hunger and labor strike, was also discussed. “Speakers demanded the closure of Delaney Hall, improvement of conditions at the facility, release of detainees, and justice for Jean Wilson Brutus who died at the facility and all those killed or brutalized by ICE,” he said.
They also demanded defunding and abolition of ICE, dropping charges against protestors arrested at the facility, and dropping charges against Congresswoman LaMonica McIver stemming from the arrest of Mayor Ras Baraka at the facility last year.
Hamm said due to the sweltering 90 degree temperatures a decision was made not to march, because some people might be adversely affected by the heat. The event concluded after the last speaker with the Solidarity Singers leading those present in singing We Shall Overcome.
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