Several hundred people gathered outside the Newark campus Monday.
NEWARK -- They didn't have tickets to watch the president speak live. Most likely, they'd be huddled together watching a live stream of Obama's address on criminal justice reform at Rutgers-Newark Monday.
But, that was good enough for the several hundred people who lined up outside the city campus in the hours before his remarks, they said.
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Bernice Greene, of East Orange, waited anxiously outside, holding a sign that said, "We love you, Mr. President." She said the visit to Newark was exciting not only because she supports Obama, but also because prison reform is an issue that impacts her community.
"It's bad," she said.
"A mother has to be a mother and a father...for nonviolent crimes, I don't think you should spend 20 years in jail.."
Some in the crowd were Rutgers students who said the presidential remarks were especially relevant, given what they were studying.
"I'll definitely be tuned in," said 23-year-old Ricky Stephens, a player on the Rutgers mens basketball team who attended the event with a few teammates. "I'm looking forward to what he has to say."
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Obama's talk at Rutgers was his second stop of the day, after a visit to the Integrity House, a rehabilitation center in the city. During his remarks, Obama highlighted some of the facility's success stories.
His visit Monday was generally well received in the city, a majority of which has supported the president's political career. Nearly 78 percent of Essex County voters supported Obama in his 2012 reelection campaign.
The city also runs Obama's 'My Brother's Keeper' Program, an initiative aimed at deterring young men of color throughout the United States from falling into lives of crime.
"I think it is a real problem for a city like this, a minority city like this," MBK-Newark Executive Coordinator Kisha Baldwin said of incarceration outside Rutgers Monday.
"We would love to have our young men back."
Dan Ivers may be reached at divers@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at@DanIversNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.