Mayor issues statement following president’s visit

NEWARK, NJ — Mayor Ras J. Baraka released this statement following President Barack Obama’s visit to Newark on Monday, Nov. 2.

“I am grateful for all of the Newarkers, community stakeholders and students who joined with us to make President Obama’s visit to Newark exceptional,” said Baraka on Monday, Nov. 2.

“We were honored to have been selected as the place for him to deliver a vital statement on criminal justice reform and his proposed measures to promote rehabilitation and reintegration.

“His visit places Newark in the unique narrative of criminal justice reform history and the president paid our city the highest compliment by saying that, ‘Newark is helping to lead the way.’

“The city of Newark is also appreciative of the interest that the president took in one of our comprehensive therapeutic addictions treatment program, Integrity House, taking time to visit the site and to meet with program participants.
“During his remarks at Rutgers University, he recognized several Newarkers who have successfully completed rehabilitation and reintegration programs and

are currently giving back to the city and county.
“After the president’s statement, we welcomed White House Cabinet Secretary and chairman of My Brother’s Keeper, Broderick Johnson, to the new Prudential Tower to recognize a milestone in the initiative, which focuses on ‘Keeping Kids on Track and Giving Them Second Chances’.

“A significant gathering of thought leaders, stakeholders and MBK members were on hand to discuss concerns such as trauma informed care and reentry supports for the formerly incarcerated.

“President Obama’s visit to Newark is certain to provide additional momentum to criminal justice reform initiatives locally and nationally.

“We thank him for recognizing our efforts to transform Newark into a city we can all believe in, and by extension, our nation into a society we can all believe in.”