CIVIL RIGHTS
*You can find the words in bold at the end of the page in the Glossary, with links to definitions.*
Civil Rights in New Brunswick
Tercentennial's Timeline of Black Achievements & Events During 1960s
1960 - The People’s Organization changed the gerrymandered school district lines.
1961 - John Brokaw becomes first Black policeman to earn a Lieutenant rank in NBPD.
1963 - Rev. James W. Waters became first Black candidate for a seat on New Brunswick City Commission.
1964 - Eric B. Chandler spoke out against absence of Black workers in local plants, leading to the hiring of more Black workers in the industry.
1967 - Aldradge B. Cooper Jr. became the city’s first Black elected official when he won a seat on the City Commission in May.
1967 - Rev. Edward Warner became first Black chairman of the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission.
1974 - Aldradge B. Cooper Jr. became the city’s first Black mayor.
New Brunswick Connection
1967 - July protests erupt throughout NJ. In Newark, 26 people died and 1,400 were arrested during a five-day protest against police brutality. In Plainfield, a white officer was killed. At this time, 15% of New Brunswick’s population identified as African-American. 50 people of the 1,400 arrested in Newark were taken into custody in New Brunswick; 18 of them were juveniles. They were charged with loitering, looting, carrying dangerous weapons. Demonstrators gathered on the corner of George Street and Remsen Avenue. They were met with a police force armed with semi-automatic carbines. Police were suddenly withdrawn and half of the demonstrators were convinced to obey the curfew while the rest brought the demonstration to the Police headquarters. Mayor Sheehan met the crowd and they debated until the tension relaxed (Home News Tribune, mycentralJersey.com).
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March 15, 1969 - Racial tensions rise again. 8 out of the city’s 10 Black cops quit in response to fellow officer’s comments at a Concerned and Responsible Citizens Rally. He stated that in all of his years on the force, he "had not found one good Negro." His quote was broadcast at radio station WCTC. The officer was suspended and charged with conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman, and conduct subversive to the good order and discipline of the police department. Classes were called off. The schools met with parents over the weekend and resumed classes the following Monday. Students protested by amassing in front of the Junior High School. Scuffles broke out between students and police.
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Glossary
Click on the word below to learn the definition.
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Sources
Miskoff, Ron. (1967). Harris Still Doesn’t Know Why. Home News Tribune.
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Patt, Ruth Marcus. editor. (1982). Tercentennial Lectures, New Brunswick, NJ. City of New Brunswick.
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Rasmussen, Chris. (2017) Recalling the 1967 New Brunswick Protests. Retrieved from: http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/history/new-jersey/2017/07/14/recalling-1967-new-brunswick-protests/428509001/
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Salt Lake Tribune (1969). Eight Negro Policeman Have Resigned… Retrieved from https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/10959653/