This week, 50 Howard University students are spending their spring break volunteering at Malcolm X Shabazz and Weequahic High Schools, the Newark YMWCA, Essex County College, the Greater Newark Conservancy and other community sites.
Their activities included co-hosting with the Africana Institute on Civil Liberties Awareness for a teach-in called, “Know Your Rights” and was held on Wednesday.
The teach-in took place at the same time the Newark City Council hosted its final hearing and cast its final vote on Mayor Ras Baraka’s call for the implementation of a civilian review of the Newark police with full subpoena powers.
The Newark Anti-Violence Coalition was on hand with other key organizations on the issue of police reform such as the People’s Organization for Progress and the American Civil Liberties Union.
Friday, the HU students will conclude their visit at Essex County College as guests of the School’s “Coffee House Live” open mic session
Alternative Spring Break is community-service project conceived and organized by Newark-based Howard University alumni.
Among the other coalition members are the Greater Newark Conservancy, the Newark YMWCA, the City of Newark and the Africana Institute of Essex County College. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka is a Howard University alumnus.
This year marks the project’s second year in Newark.