Thomas Mundy Peterson Tree Planting
*Photo by Matthew Telliho

Press Release

PERTH AMBOY – On the 147th Anniversary of the historic votes by Thomas Mundy Peterson & Marcus Curless, the community of Perth Amboy came together to celebrate. At an event sponsored by the 1683 Society and the City Of Perth Amboy, the 1st and 2nd African American voters under the 15th Amendment were honored. A tree was planted at City Hall Circle & a cast bronze plaque will be installed.

“This was a great event!” stated 1683 Society Trustee John Kerry Dyke. “It is always wonderful to bring our great community together and our young students made this all a very special ceremony.”   Students from the Academy for Urban Leadership Charter School and from the McGinnis/Thomas Mundy Peterson schools attended & participated.

St.James AME Zion Church Pastor Amos Dickerson & the Second Baptist Cathedral Rev. Carol Dortch-Wright led the packed Council Chambers in remembering the struggles of those that came before us. Local NAACP VP Keneshia Pryce inspired the audience with her own personal story. Dorothy Daniel read a poem by Maya Angelou and a verse by Frederick Douglass. 1683 Society President Norman Vazquez introduced the event & Mayor Wilda Diaz welcomed the crowds.

Students from the Academy Charter School along with the McGinnis School students ended the program by singing “The Battle of the Republic”.

The 1683 Society is a Perth Amboy nonprofit organization working to improve the quality of life.