1199SEIU members in New Jersey gathered in Newark on December 5 for the “March and Rally for Jobs, Peace, Justice and Equality” organized by the People's Organization for Progress (POP).

They were joined by hundreds of other union members, students and community activists in bringing the national campaign for economic justice to the Newark community. Holding signs and banners that read “Healthcare workers are part of the 99%” and “Save the Middle Class”, demonstrators were cheered on by the horns of passing drivers and by applause from supportive onlookers at they rallied at the corner of West Market Street and Springfield Avenue.

Following the rally, the protesters marched and chanted for more than an hour while they were escorted by police through the streets of downtown Newark. They continued through the commercial district of Broad Street before arriving at the corporate headquarters of Prudential Financial, where organizers gave impassioned speeches that highlighted the current economic struggle of the working and middle classes and emphasized the need for a national jobs program.