NAACP Honors the Life and Legacy of Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., A Son of the Movement

The NAACP mourns the passing of Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., a transformative leader whose life's work is deeply woven into the history, mission, and enduring impact of our Association and the nation.

A lifelong soldier for justice, Rev. Jackson emerged from the very soil that nurtured the NAACP for over a century. As a young organizer in the 1960s, he labored alongside NAACP leaders, spoke at several national conventions, marched with our members, and helped expand the national movement for racial equality into a broad, people-powered coalition demanding systemic change.

NAACP Chairman of the Board, Leon W. Russell, NAACP Vice Chair of the Board, Karen Boykin Towns, and NAACP President & CEO, Derrick Johnson, released the following joint statement:

"Reverend Jesse Jackson was not only a civil rights icon — he was family to the NAACP. His work advanced Black America at every turn. He challenged this nation to live up to its highest ideals, and he reminded our movement that hope is both a strategy and a responsibility. His historic run for president inspired millions and brought race to the forefront of American politics. 

"We honor his legacy by continuing the work he championed: protecting the right to vote, expanding economic opportunity, and fighting for the freedom and dignity of Black people everywhere."

Throughout the arc of his ministry and activism, Rev. Jackson remained an unwavering ally and partner to the NAACP. In 1988, NAACP awarded Rev. Jackson the President's Award at the NAACP Image Awards in recognition of his distinguished public service. And, in 1989, Rev. Jackson received the NAACP Spingarn Medal for outstanding achievement. 

Rev. Jackson's leadership in advancing voting rights, economic justice, and educational opportunity strengthened the very pillars of our community. Whether challenging racially discriminatory policies, uplifting marginalized voices, or building multiracial movements through the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, he forged a path forward to eliminate racial discrimination and ensure full political, educational, social, and economic equality for all.

Rev. Jackson's passing marks the loss of a towering moral voice, but the movement he helped build will carry his light forward. His legacy calls each of us to stay committed, stay organized, and remain faithful to the pursuit of justice.

NO KINGS MARCH & RALLY IN NEWARK NJ

Chairmen Lawrence Hamm and the The People's Organization For Progress will stage the No Kings March and Rally in Newark NJ.

The march and rally will take place Saturday, March 28, 2026, 12:00 noon, starting at the Lincoln Statue, 12 Springfield Avenue in Newark, New Jersey. The purpose of the event is to protest the unjust, undemocratic, racist, fascist, and right-wing policies of President Trump, his administration, the Republican controlled Congress, and the ultra-conservative Supreme Court.

Learn more about the No Kings Rally in Newark and register here: https://www.mobilize.us/peoplesorganizationforprogress/event/895973/

Author Talk: Gloria Browne-Marshall and Lawrence Hamm

Join Gloria Browne-Marshall, Professor of Constitutional Law at John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY) in a presentation of her book, “A Protest History of the United States". The presentation will be followed by a conversation with activist Lawrence Hamm, chairman of the People’s Organization for Progress, and author of "Lawrence Hamm: A Life in the Struggle".

Books will be available for sale and signing, provided by Watchung Booksellers and Lawrence Hamm.

First-come, first-served. Registration recommended.

Date:

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Time:

6:00pm - 7:45pm

Location:

Montclair Main - Auditorium

BCCLS Library:

Montclair Public Library

Audience:

  Adults  

Categories: 

  Adult Services    Author Talk     Book Discussion    Books, Film & Theater  

Registration is required. There are 68 seats available. Register here: https://bccls.libcal.com/event/15851731

This Black History Month watch BUFFALO SOLDIERS: FIGHTING ON TWO FRONTS

Black History Month Documentary

BUFFALO SOLDIERS: FIGHTING ON TWO FRONTS, explores the often-contradictory role played by Black soldiers throughout American history, with particular emphasis on the settling of the American West and colonialism abroad. A film by Dru Holley.

WATCH THE DOCUMENTARY

HAMM ENDORSES ANALILIA MEJIA FOR CONGRESS IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR NEW JERSEY’S 11TH DISTRICT

A prominent civil rights activist has publicly announced his personal endorsement of Analilia Mejia for Congress in the upcoming special Democratic primary election for the House seat formerly held by New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill.

“I am endorsing Analilia Mejia for Congress because I believe that in these challenging times she is the right choice among the candidates running in the special Democratic primary to represent the people of the 11th congressional district of New Jersey,” Lawrence Hamm, Chairman, People’s Organization For Progress stated. 

The primary election for that congressional seat is scheduled for Thursday, February 5, 2026. The special general election will take place on Thursday, April 16th. While the names of 13 candidates are on the ballot for the seat, 11 are actively campaigning. 

“I am supporting Analilia because it is imperative that Democrats break the stranglehold of the Trump controlled Republicans on Congress and win back Democratic majorities in the House and Senate this year,” Hamm, who has been a candidate for U.S. Senate, said.  

“This is critical in creating a bulwark in Congress to stop the juggernaut of Trump’s racist, fascist, and right wing policies. It is also critical in setting the stage to defeat Trump and his MAGA Republicans in the Presidential and congressional elections that will take place in 2028,” he said. 

“I am supporting Analilia because she knows this. She understands the assignment. She knows that we are at a critical juncture in this country. She knows that as a congressional representative she must do everything possible to stop our country from sliding into dictatorship under a Trump regime,” he said. 

Hamm said that he and Mejia have known each other for a number of years and that they worked together on Bernie Sanders’ campaigns for president. He believes that her experience working with labor and her background as a political activist will help her in Washington’s contentious political environment. 

“I am supporting Analilia because now more than ever we need representatives in Congress who are not going to Washington to do business as usual. We need people like Analilia who are going to fight for us, shake things up, shut things down and get things done,” he said. 

“I am supporting Analilia because I believe we can trust her. She is not the kind of person who is going to say one thing when she’s around us and then when she gets to Washington say and do something different,” he said. 

“I am urging people to vote for Analilia because she can she can take the pressure. She can stand the heat.  We don’t need to send anymore Democrats to Washington who break under pressure, sell out their constituents, and vote with Republicans for legislation that will hurt us,” he said. 

“I am primarily supporting Analilia because she is running on a progressive agenda that prioritizes the needs of the people over those of the billionaires, big corporations, and banks.  I believe that she will go to Washington to fight for working people, poor people, and the middle class who make up the vast majority people in this country,” Hamm said. 

“I am supporting Analilia because I believe she will support just, fair, balanced, peaceful, and sane foreign policies. I am confident that she will work with other members of Congress to prohibit U.S. involvement in unjust, forever wars for oil and other natural resources, regime change, genocide, and imperial aggression and expansion,” he said. 

“On Election Day, February 5th I urge people to vote for Analilia Mejia for Congress. I urge people to come to the polls in record numbers for the special primary and general elections to ensure her victory, and again in all the midterm congressional elections so we can sweep these Trump Republicans out of office and take back the Congress,” he said. 

For more information contact Lawrence Hamm at (973)801-0001.