News

September 3, 2021

MAYOR BARAKA TO LAUNCH “24 HOURS OF PEACE” TODAY AT 6 P.M. AT BROAD AND MARKET STREETS

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Newark, NJ – September 3, 2021 — Mayor Ras J. Baraka announced today that Newark will wind down its first ever “Peace Week” with several Labor Day weekend events, including the kickoff for the City-wide “24 Hours of Peace” today at 6 p.m. (Friday, Sept. 3), at Broad and Market Streets. “24 Hours of Peace” will be led by Mayor Baraka and include a ceremony honoring victims of violent crimes.

This is the 10th Anniversary of “24 Hours of Peace,” which was started by Mayor Baraka when he was the South Ward’s City Council representative.

Mayor Baraka said the expansion of “24 Hours of Peace” to Peace Week is to build on “creating a more peaceful Newark by providing our residents with hope, empowerment, positive choices and alternatives to crime and violence. Peace Week will bring our diverse community together in unity.”

The program at Broad and Market Streets will host more than a full day of events, including performances by local and celebrity artists, including singers, musicians, dancers, and speakers until 1 a.m. Saturday. Featured performers include KRS-One, Freeway, Beanie Sigel, Pnb Rock, Mister Cee, Jadakiss, Benny Boom, DJ Lil Man, Cookie Kawaii and more.

A second “kickoff” event will resume at Broad and Market Streets Saturday morning at 7 a.m., followed by another full day of events, beginning with music by guest DJ “The Chief” Middy Mid, playing spiritual and uplifting music.

The daylong event includes yoga and meditation (8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.), physical fitness, health, and wellness stations (9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.), Zumba (from 11 a.m. to Noon), and a Bartendaz workout demonstration (Noon to 1 p.m.). A one-hour town hall meeting, music by the New Jersey Club Series, and closing remarks by Mayor Baraka at 9:45 p.m. will follow it.

Lakeesha Eure, the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery, said the event “takes a holistic approach to peace through individual wellness. “Our goal is to educate the community on the true meaning of peace. Peace stands for Proper Education Always Corrects Errors. This is our guiding principle during not only Peace Week, but every day. We want our residents to always know that peace is a choice and a lifestyle.”

On Sunday, the City will hold “A Day of Remembrance” at Westside Park Community Center at 600 S. 17th Street from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., organized by Newark’s Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery and Brick City Peace Collective. Artists Against Violence are also sponsoring the event, and there will be art displays as well as information on social and emotional services available in Newark. People who have lost loved ones to violence are encouraged to bring photographs of the victims so they can honored during this special remembrance event.

- NEWARK -