WOAHO organizes Black Lives Matter rally

WOAHO organizes Black Lives Matter rally

WEST ORANGE, NJ — West Orange residents gathered on Northfield Avenue on July 25 for another Black Lives Matter protest, led by the West Orange African Heritage Organization. Standing on either side of the road down the street from the Turtle Back Zoo, protesters held up signs asking drivers to honk in support. “This is […]

Stellar novel from WO author tackles timely issue

Stellar novel from WO author tackles timely issue

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Marchers at Black Lives Matter protests across the nation have been chanting “Hands up, don’t shoot!” After reading West Orange author Stephen Clark’s new book, some may say, “‘Hands Up,’ must read!” Clark’s second novel, “Hands Up,” explores a fatal police shooting of an unarmed black teen in Philadelphia, Pa., through […]

CCR to hold virtual Coffeehouse Discussions

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition will hold a Coffeehouse Discussion in a two-part virtual format on Thursdays, July 9 and 16, from 7 to 9 p.m. via Zoom. The discussion has been titled “Journey To Anti-Racism Deepening Our Commitment.” These sessions are free and open to the public; participants […]

Area teachers march for black lives

Area teachers march for black lives

MAPLEWOOD / SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — South Orange–Maplewood School District educators Stephanie Rivera, TJ Whitaker, Willy Sumner and Greg Tuttle helped to organize the first statewide NJ Teachers for Black Lives Rally and March on Monday, June 15. In addition to South Orange–Maplewood, educators from Millburn, Montclair, Livingston, Irvington, West Orange, East Orange, Newark, Verona […]

DeMaio addresses possible changes for BPD

DeMaio addresses possible changes for BPD

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — More than 100 people joined a Zoom call hosted by Bloomfield Councilwoman Wartyna Davis and Mayor Michael Venezia on June 10 to discuss police and race in the wake of the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer and the Black Lives Matter protests across the country. With input from […]

NAACP calls for widespread policing reforms

NAACP calls for widespread policing reforms

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s Oranges and Maplewood Unit sent the following statement to the newspaper on June 9: “For a fortnight citizens throughout our country have by their public actions voiced their concerns about policing in communities of color. It is the sincere hope of the Oranges […]