Newark police and firefighters boycotted the St. Patrick?s Day parade to make a political statement. Parade-goers say one parade staple, police officers and firefighters who march in their dress blues, was noticeably missing. The departments allegedly boycotted in protest of the parade's honoree, Congressman Donald Payne (D-NJ). The dispute began over a resolution Payne voted against. The resolution condemned a French town's naming of a street in honor of Mumia Abu-Jamal. Jamal was convicted and sent to death row in 1982 for shooting a Philadelphia police officer. Jamal?s case became a battleground for opponents and supporters of the death penalty. Although the resolution passed, police and firefighters reportedly believe Payne failed to show support for the slain officer.