NEW BRUNSWICK – People knew Ras Baraka could run a rugged American city – with plenty of jagged edges – and deliver an inspirational speech that a handler didn’t construct for him out of cardboard. But would he have door knockers and feisty organized street muscle to go out there and drive the vote for his upstart, power-to-the-people anti-machine run for governor?
Now, he does – with an exclamation point – following last week’s historic joint endorsement by multiple powerful progressive organizations, who today appeared on a side street in New Brunswick and showed their impassioned solidarity for their candidate, the log-serving mayor of Newark.
Everyone looked happy here, and galvanized, their energy channeled out of a belief in the candidate.
Baraka appeared in his element on the porch of a house in this university town surrounded by allies – a cross-section of worker and immigrant advocate organizations – who want him to win the Democratic Party nomination on June 10th.
People journeyed from the Jim Crow deep South to New Jersey looking for equality, said the mayor.
“But they found deep inequality,” he said.
They didn’t run and hide.
They organized.
And now he wants to take that consolidated organization and ride it to Drumthwacket.
As President Donald Trump desecrates a country built on the rule of law, threatens crackdowns and deportations for people who disagree with him, defunds research institutions, and seeks to impose massive government cuts to reward the two percent class, Baraka told his backers he intends to keep fighting for them.
“We can’t afford to subsidize billionaires and millionaires,” said the Democrat. We have a problem, he added, when politicians want to raise public transportation fees, while cutting Medicaid and public housing for workers.
“This is not equality,” Baraka said.
Those who came here on this dreary Jersey April day looked spirited in their combined backing for the mayor.
“We need a progressive governor,” said Antoinette Miles, who heads New Jersey Working Families. Trump backers want to take over the state and divide hard-working NJ families. “No way in hell are we going to allow them to go that,” she said. “We are ready to reimagine New Jersey and rebuild the Democratic Party coalition, [including blacks, Latinos, whites, and others].”
Baraka repeatedly committed to guaranteeing protections for undocumented immigrant workers in his home state. “This is an historic moment right now where we need to pull together the working class, not only in the face of an agenda of the failed and racist policies of Donald Trump, but to build economic prosperity for all working families.”
That got a big, rousing hand.
Everything he said here did.
The organizations backing him, all represented here today, included Rutgers AAUP-AFT, 32BJ SEIU, New Jersey Citizen Action, Make the Road Action New Jersey, New Jersey Working Families Party and Workers United LDFS Joint Board.
Baraka, the progressive mayor of Newark, New Jersey, has been making waves in the political scene by mobilizing supporters in neighboring New Brunswick. With his strong stance on social justice issues and commitment to improving the lives of all residents, Baraka has gained a following of like-minded individuals who are eager to see positive change in their community.
One of the key ways that Baraka has been able to mobilize supporters in New Brunswick is through his grassroots organizing efforts. By reaching out to local community groups, activists, and residents, Baraka has been able to build a network of dedicated supporters who are passionate about his vision for a more equitable and inclusive city.
In addition to his grassroots efforts, Baraka has also been able to mobilize supporters in New Brunswick through his strong leadership on key issues. From advocating for affordable housing and economic development to fighting for criminal justice reform and police accountability, Baraka has shown that he is willing to take bold action to address the pressing issues facing his constituents.
Baraka’s ability to mobilize progressive supporters in New Brunswick has not gone unnoticed by political insiders. As reported by Insider NJ, Baraka’s influence in the city has been growing, with more and more residents rallying behind his progressive agenda.
Overall, Baraka’s success in mobilizing supporters in New Brunswick serves as a testament to the power of grassroots organizing and strong leadership. By building a coalition of dedicated individuals who share his values and vision for a better future, Baraka has been able to make a real impact in his community and inspire others to join him in the fight for social justice and equality.
