A free forum on race and policing at NJPAC is expecting 650 attendees.
NEWARK -- Newark is the perfect place to host a panel discussion on the state of police and community relations in New Jersey, influencers say.
The forum, "Moving New Jersey's Communities Forward: A Critical Conversation about Race and Policing," begins at 7 p.m. Monday at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. About 650 people have RSVP'd to attend the event sponsored by the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, NJPAC and Newark Celebration 350.
Policing forum is coming to Newark Monday. (Photo courtesy Richmond Pulse)"The issues of Baton Rouge, Falcon Heights, Ferguson, Baltimore, New York City, North Charleston and other cities are our issues, too," said New Jersey Institute for Social Justice President and CEO Ryan P. Haygood.
"This transformative moment presents an opportunity to create a new style of policing and a police-community relationship that has never existed in too many of New Jersey's communities of color. We are inviting the community to join this important conversation to help bring about that transformation."
The event comes to Newark as the city is struggling with its own long-strained relationship between residents and the police department. Earlier this year, a federal monitor was appointed to watch over the department - the result of a Department of Justice report two years ago condemning many of the department's practices.
Among the event's panelists will be the monitor, Peter Harvey, Newark's Mayor, Ras Baraka, and its Public Safety Director, Anthony Ambrose.
Court OKs federal deal to oversee PD
"There's no more important topic these days for Americans to address thoughtfully than the issue of race in our country," said John Schreiber, NJPAC's president and CEO.
"The Arts Center, as a place where the community can convene in free and open discussion, is proud to host this timely conversation."
The panel discussion will be hosted by "Due Process" executive producer Sandra King. The full line-up of panelists include:
- LaShawn Y. Warren, vice president and general counsel, New Jersey Institute for Social Justice
- Anthony Ambrose, Newark Public Safety director
- Ras J. Baraka, mayor of the City of Newark
- Rod Brunson, dean, Rutgers School of Criminal Justice
- LaKeesha Eure, chair, Newark Anti-Violence Coalition
- Peter Harvey, independent federal monitor, Newark Police Department
- Zellie Imani, lead organizer, Black Lives Matter, Paterson
- Junius W. Williams, chairman of Newark Celebration 350, Director of the Abbott Leadership Institute, Rutgers-Newark
The event is free, but advanced reservations at njpac.org/movingforward are required.
Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.