THE PEOPLE’S ORGANIZATION FOR PROGRESS (POP)
PO BOX 22505
NEWARK, NJ 07101
www.njpop.org
CONTACT: LAWRENCE HAMM – lhamm1953@gmail.com
SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE
MORE THAN 200 ORGANIZATIONS ENDORSE MARTIN LUTHER KING PEOPLE’S CONVENTION FOR JUSTICE AND RESISTANCE SCHEDULED FOR NEWARK ON SATURDAY
The 2ND Martin Luther King People’s Convention for Justice And Resistance that will take place Saturday, September 26, 2026, 8:30am to 4:00pm, at Essex County College, Smith Hall, 303 University Avenue in Newark, New Jersey.
The convention is sponsored by the People’s Organization For Progress (POP). It is co-sponsored by the Martin Luther King People’s Convention for Justice and Resistance Planning Committee.
The convention has been endorsed by more than 200 grassroots, civic, community, labor, student, religious, racial and social justice organizations.
“The purpose of this year’s convention is to develop a people’s agenda for social justice and resistance, and a broad coalition to oppose the racist, fascist, and right wing policies of the Trump controlled administration, Congress, and Supreme Court, Lawrence Hamm, Chairman, People’s Organization For Progress stated.
“Also, at this year’s convention special emphasis will be placed on the importance of voter registration, education and most importantly mobilization for the upcoming midterm elections,” Hamm said.
“We must beat back Trump’s racist and fascist MAGA movement that has a stranglehold on the federal government and is causing so much pain and suffering at home and abroad,” he asserted.
“We must work towards a massive record breaking voter turnout in this upcoming midterm election. And continue the work of organizing and mobilizing the people beyond the November elections,” he declared.
The convention is open to the general public. Those who wish to attend are encouraged to register in advance. Registration for the convention is still open. There is no registration fee.
To register for the convention sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/
Hamm said that this will be “a working convention” where the participants will deliberate throughout the day. The work of the convention will take place during morning and afternoon plenary sessions.
“This will be a convention of the whole body of participants. All resolutions, issues, and business will be conducted before all of the delegates. There are no workshops,” he said.
During the plenary sessions resolutions on a variety of domestic and international issues will be presented. There will be a closing session with presentations and a summary of the work of the convention.
“The resolutions adopted at the convention are non-binding and do not supersede the policies and positions of the individual endorsing organizations. Support of the endorsing organizations for resolutions passed at the convention is voluntary,” he added.
Hamm said endorsements of the convention are still being sought and will be received up to the day of the event. He said groups that wish to endorse should call, text, or email POP immediately.