In the wake of several police shootings across the nation—most notably the killing of Atatania Jefferson in Fort Worth, Texas—the People’s Organization for Progress (P.O.P.) is expanding its Justice Monday protest, as they host a march and rally to observe the 24th annual National Day Against Police Brutality.
Participants will assemble at the Lincoln Monument in Newark at 5 p.m. and march to the Federal Building located at 20 Washington Place, the site of their ongoing Justice Monday protests. Last year saw over 40 cities host actions on or around Oct. 22.
In addition to marking the 24th National Day of Action on the traumatizing and polarizing issue, their actions will also observe their 190th consecutive Justice Monday protest. Marches will also take place in Freehold, Montclair and Union County.
National Day Against Police Brutality has been commemorated since 1996 by the Coalition to Stop Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of a Generation. The Coalition also works on the Stolen Lives Project, which documents cases of killings by law enforcement nationwide.
“Oct. 22 is a day that people around the nation have mobilized every year since 1996 for a National Day of Protest to Stop Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of a Generation,” the Coalition said. “It is crucial that we bring forward a powerful National Day of Protest in cities and towns across the U.S. to challenge the ongoing violence against the people.”
Some of New Jersey’s most recent police shooting victims include Abdul Kamal killed by Irvington Police officers, Kashad Ashford killed in Lyndhurst in an incident involving Lyndhurst, Rutherford and NJ State Police officers, Jerome Reid killed by Bridgeton Police officers on videotape and Darryl Fuqua, also killed by Bridgeton Police officers and Trenton teen Radazz Hearns, who survived being shot in the back running from Trenton and State Police officers.