Amsterdam News Staff
The United States Postal Service in the Northern New Jersey District unveiled a commemorative Black Heritage Stamp featuring Bishop Richard Allen, founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church this week.
“I am proud to partner with the United States Postal Service to mark such an historic celebration of one of our nation’s first fighters for civil rights, as well as political and religious freedom,” said East Orange Mayor Lester E. Taylor III.
An unveiling ceremony was held at City Hall Plaza in East Orange Tuesday. This stamp is the 39th stamp in a series honoring African-American leaders
Allen was a preacher, activist and civic leader. The stamp coincides with the 200th anniversary of Allen’s founding of the AME Church, one of the most important institutions in African-American life, and his election and consecration as its first bishop. The stamp art is a portrait of Allen, a detail from an 1876 print titled “Bishops of the A.M.E. Church.”
“We are pleased to have the opportunity to join with the community of East Orange to celebrate Black History Month and the issuance of the new Richard Allen Forever stamp,” said East Orange Postmaster Betty Banks. “We trust the legacy of Richard Allen and the new stamp bearing his image will inspire new generations to embrace his spirit of hope, perseverance and community service.”
Rallies continue at Justice Department in New Jersey for police brutality victims
By CYRIL JOSH BARKER
Amsterdam News Staff
Monday, the People’s Organization for Progress continued its “Justice Department Mondays” rallies demanding federal intervention in the police brutality cases of Abdul Kamal, Kashad Ashford, Jerame Reid and Radazz Hearns.
The rally took place at the Peter Rodino Federal Building in Newark Monday night and marks the fourth straight Monday since organizers began their campaign on Feb. 1 and the 50th anniversary of the launching of the historic Sit-in Movement.
“We do not have to go to New York or to Ferguson or to Chicago or to Cleveland to protest police brutality” said POP Chairman Larry Hamm. “We have our own share right here in New Jersey.”
Thursday, Feb. 25, veteran Ron Daniels of the Institute of the Black World will be the guest speaker at the POP general assembly meeting.
The meetings take place every Thursday at Abyssinian Baptist Church, 224 W. Kinney St., 6:30 p.m. in Newark.
Daniels will address important coalition building in anticipation of the Institute of the Black World’s national conference, to be held in Newark for the first time in November.
