| History of CRG |
| Oakwood Avenue School was a segregated school in 1957. Ernest and Margaret Thompson became aware of a map showing how city schools were gerrymandered. That gave ammunition for a successful fight for school desegregation. |
| The celebration on May 6th started with a church service at the First UU Church of Essex. Joyful music was played. |
| Dr. Mindy Fullilove and Reverend Yielbonzie Johnson gave the sermon. |
| Some members of Thompson family at the May 6th party. Far left, Maggie Thompson who got things started by going to the Orange Board of Education to get a copy of the gerrymander map. |
| Happy Anniversary CRG 2007 First Unitarian Universalist Church of Essex and Orange May 6, 2007 In May, 2007, a day of celebration was held in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the start of the effort to desegregate schools in Orange, NJ. This party celebrated the work of Citizens for Representative Government and its leaders, including Ernest Thompson, Dr. John Alexander, Councilman Ben Jones, Maggie Thompson, Rebecca Doggett, Charles Millis and others |
Ernest Thompson was a union organizer. He became a
community organizer and led the struggles for black
representation and for good government in Orange, NJ, from 1957
until his death in 1971. His book,
Homeboy Came to Orange: A Story of People's Power,
continues to provide inspiration for the struggle in Orange.
community organizer and led the struggles for black
representation and for good government in Orange, NJ, from 1957
until his death in 1971. His book,
Homeboy Came to Orange: A Story of People's Power,
continues to provide inspiration for the struggle in Orange.
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| Commemorative Stone |
| Mr. Ben Jones |
| CRG |
| Citizens for Responsible Government |