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Sekou Fofana
03.16.2009 Newark NJ
Hundreds of Liberians and friends of Liberia gathered at a rally in Newark to show their unflinching support
to their Liberian brothers and sisters whose TPS (Temporary Protection Status) is due to expire on March
31, 2009 making them vulnerable to deportation. The rally, which was organized just a few days ago by
Liberians in Newark and strongly supported by some heavy weights such as Newark's Councilman-at-large
Donald M. Payne Jr and his father Congressman Donald Payne Sr was by all accounts a huge success. It
was an amazing sight to see Liberians and other nationals show up despite little publicity to say, as they
loudly chanted during the rally, "No To Deportation", "We Need Permanent Status". The loud chants were
audible even couple of blocks away as many unsuspecting shoppers in the center of downtown stirred in
admiration of the beauty and the strength of the march .
The rally started at the Newark's Military Park and within a few minutes, you could have mistaken Newark's
Broad Streets for Monrovia's Broad streets. There were literally hundreds of Liberians marching through the
city center with police escorts, joyfully and proudly displaying their red white and blue Liberians flags along
with the American flags.
After a long but enjoyable walk, through Broad Street, the marchers finally gathered at the Newark Federal
Building two blocks away from City Hall where several speakers took the stage. Michael Gray, Deputy Chief
of Staff of Councilman-at-large Donald M. Payne Jr, who was one of the brains behind the march thanked
everyone for attending, acknowledged the presence of several dignitaries at the rally including his boss,
Councilman Donald M. Payne Jr, Congressman Donald Payne Sr, Councilman Gonzales, Dr. Kalfani of the
African Institute of Essex County College, Dosso Kassimou of the African Commission and ULLA's newly
elected President Anthony Kesselly and many others.
Donald M. Payne Jr thanked the crowd for showing up and said " the number here today is good but in
Washington DC on Wednesday March 25, we want to see hundred times this number. Number is all that
matters so help spread the word", the councilman said.
His father, a longtime friend of Africans and Liberians in particular, congressman Donald Payne Sr said that
he is doing everything in his power to create awareness and to rally support behind the Liberian TPS
problem. He said that all members of the Congressional Black Caucus are aware and have signed on to
the petition to allow the Liberians to stay. "I have reached out to several people including Senator Patric
Kennedy who will be at the rally in Washington", said the soft-spoken Congressman. He then went into
details explaining the historical ties between the republic of Liberia and the United States. "Liberians have
helped the United States in so many ways during the course of our history and I think it is time for the US to
return the favor", he said. The Congressman also urged Liberians to reach out to other communities who
are facing similar crises such as the Haitians and others. He said that the Haitians, historically, just like the
Liberians, have also contributed astronomically to the United States. "The Haitians", the Congressman
continued, "by defeating Napoleon of France in Haiti, forced him to sell a territory of the western United
States extending from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains between the Gulf of Mexico and the
Canadian border". He pointed out that It was this purchased, famously known as the Louisiana Purchase
(April 30, 1803, for $15 million) that double the size of the United States.
"I was part of history today" said a young Liberian at the rally. "This is the first rally that I have ever
participated in and to see our people, our mothers and our fathers--who normally never get along--put all of
their petite differences aside for this cause meant a lot to me", she added. This sentiment was also
expressed by many others at the rally. "It is time for Africans to show their self worth" said Dosso Kassimou,
President of the Newark African Commission. "It seems like everyone else has figured out how to come
together to fight for what is rightfully theirs but us. But today's rally is an indication that some people among
us are now willing and readied to make the sacrifices needed to make sure that our people realize their
American dream", he concluded.
ULLA,s boss Anthony Kesselly extended his thanks and appreciation to all those who have tirelessly
worked to make sure that Liberians, who are on TPS are permanently granted legal status. "Our purpose
here at this rally is twofold--one is to say thanks to Congressman Payne, his son, Councilman Payne Jr and
all the other folks who are standing tall with us in our time of need. Another reason why we are here is to say
to US officials that Liberia wants them to return the favor by allowing her citizens who are decent tax-paying
members of the society, to remain here for as long as they want", Mr. Kesselly said with huge outburst of
cheers from the crowd saying "ULAA, ULAA, ULAA".
After the rally Michael Gray announced that another meeting will be organized in Newark's City Hall at the
Municipal Council Chambers on the second floor on this Thursday at 6pm to discuss everything pertaining
to the big rally in Washington scheduled for Wednesday, March 25, 2009.
Please Spread the word
Click here for all the pictures from the rally
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