P.O.P Transforms the Struggle: Lawrence Hamms’ Fight for Justice

The People’s Organization for Progress (P.O.P.) founder, Lawrence Hamm, is calling for a renewed sense of activism to confront what he calls “rooted systemic racism” in Newark and across the country.

“One of the riddles that I have been trying to solve for the last 50 years is how to build an ongoing movement that’s not solely based on charismatic leadership,” said Hamm. “We created P.O.P. because we wanted something more aggressive.

Now I’m not trying to cast aspersions on other organizations, but I have to tell the truth. We wanted something more militant. At the same time, we didn’t want anything crazy, that would make people run away from us. But we wanted something stronger and was gonna push the system in another direction; in a positive direction.”

Founded in 2001, P.O.P. has been a leader in the struggle for civil rights and social justice in Newark and beyond. The organization has successfully led numerous campaigns and won significant victories for its members.

However, the People’s Organization for Progress wasn’t always the ultra-active activist group that it’s known as today. 

Hamm, who has been an activist for over 50 years, speaks about why P.O.P was created. He says, “One of the riddles  that I have been trying to solve for the last 50 years is how to build an ongoing movement that’s not solely based on charismatic leadership”.

In the beginning of the organization’s life, they weren’t very active in the community regarding constant physical and mental work to promote change.

Hamm says, “The struggle for justice for Earl Faison was transformative. It was transformative for the People’s Organization for Progress, as a group, but it was also transformative for many of us as individuals. Up until that point, P.O.P had primarily been a kind of educational organization.

“Most of our activities had been indoors, forums and programs, and discussions and debates. And every now and then we would go out to support other folks’ struggles. The Faison episode dragged us into the street and kept us in the street, and we remain in the street to this day, says Hamm.”  

Not only did the case transform their organization, P.O.P’s street debut came with a positive impact. 

Hamm acknowledges that there is still much work to be done. “The thing that breaks my heart, on the 42nd anniversary of the People’s Organization for Progress, is that the organization is not larger; is not stronger,” said Hamm.

“Dr. King said in his book Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community, he said we must build workmanlike organizations with compelling power and that’s the challenge and as far as I’m concerned, my project is unfinished. The professor is giving me back the paper. Mr Hamm, your work is not finished yet, because you haven’t reached your goal yet.”

Hamm is calling on P.O.P. members and allies to redouble their efforts and work together to confront the ongoing struggle for social justice and to build a more just and equitable world for all.