By: Richard L. Smith
A longtime New Jersey civil rights advocate is traveling to Tennessee to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the anniversary of his assassination.
According to an early morning press release sent by the People’s Organization for Progress, chairman Lawrence Hamm departed for Memphis to take part in a commemoration at the National Civil Rights Museum.
The museum, located at the former Lorraine Motel, is the historic site where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968.
King was fatally shot shortly after 6 p.m. while standing on the balcony outside his room and was later pronounced dead at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Saturday marks 58 years since the assassination that shook the nation and galvanized the civil rights movement.
Hamm, a Newark-based activist who has spent decades advocating for racial justice, economic equality, and voting rights, is expected to join others from across the country in reflecting on King’s legacy and the ongoing fight for civil rights.
He has led the People’s Organization for Progress for many years, organizing marches, voter registration drives, and community actions throughout New Jersey and beyond.
The organization said the trip underscores its continued commitment to the principles King championed, including equality, justice, and nonviolent social change.
The visit also comes at a time when Hamm and the group have raised concerns about challenges facing civil rights and social justice issues nationwide.
The annual commemoration at the museum draws activists, leaders, and community members who gather to remember King’s impact and renew efforts toward the goals he pursued.
Hamm is expected to return to New Jersey following the observance.