alexander mark

Advance Newspaper (Jan 6, 1966)

Issue of the African-American newspaper, Advance, from January 6, 1966. The issue contains coverage of demands made by the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) for the dismissal of Police Director Dominick Spina. CORE demanded Spina’s ouster in a meeting with Mayor Addonizio after a Black teenager, Walter Mathis, was fatally shot by Newark police. This issue also details several high-profile cases of police brutality from 1962-1966, a period in which Newark’s Black and Puerto Rican communities continuously advocated for police reform and accountability to no avail from City Hall. — Credit: Newark Public Library

Transcript of Fred Means Statement to Newark Human Rights Commission Hearing on Police Advisory Review Board (July 13, 1965)

Transcript of statements made by Newark-Essex CORE Chairman Fred Means before hearings of the Newark Human Rights Commission in July, 1965. The Commission held public hearings about a possible police advisory review board after Lester Long, an unarmed Black man, was fatally shot by Newark Policeman Henry Martinez. -Credit: City of Newark Archives and Records Management Center

Anonymous Letter- In Favor of Racial Segregation copy

Anonymous letter from the files of Alexander Mark, former member of the Mayor’s Commission on Group Relations, advocating racial segregation. Although there were no signs for separate entrances or drinking fountains in Newark, these types of sentiments were still prevalent in the city’s white community.

Alexander Mark Press Release- Police Advisory Board (March 3, 1963)

— Credit: Newark Public Library

Advance Newspaper (Jan 6, 1966)

William Mercer Letter to Editor- Police Board (Newark Evening News March 21, 1963)

Letter to the Editor of the Newark Evening News on March 21, 1963 from William Mercer regarding the controversy over a proposed police advisory board. Following an influx of allegations of police misconduct and brutality in early 1963, African American community leaders advocated for the establishment of a “review board” or “advisory board” to investigate allegations of police misconduct. The struggle over a police advisory board continued through the 1960s and was a polarizing topic along racial lines in Newark. — Credit: Newark Public Library

Dan Anthony- Do We Need a Police Community Advisory Board-

Statement from Newark Human Rights Commission Director Daniel Anthony regarding the controversy over a “police advisory board” in 1963. Following an influx of allegations of police misconduct and brutality in early 1963, African American community leaders advocated for the establishment of a “review board” or “advisory board” to handle allegations of police misconduct. During this struggle, the Newark Human Rights Commission held meetings on the topic and heard from community members and city officials. Though the Commission made recommendations to Mayor Addonizio, they lacked any enforcement power. — Credit: Newark Public Library

Newark Human Rights Commission- Minutes of March 19, 1963

Minutes from a March 19, 1963 meeting of the Newark Human Rights Commission. During this meeting, the Commission heard statements from a variety of community members on the topic of a police advisory board. Following an influx of allegations of police misconduct and brutality in early 1963, African American community leaders advocated for the establishment of a “review board” or “advisory board” to handle allegations of police misconduct. — Credit: Newark Public Library