Senator Declan O’Scanlon has requested Governor Phil Murphy to freeze funds allocated to the “City of Newark — Mayor’s Brick City Peace Collective” following a recent event which reportedly honored figures associated with antisemitic views.
In a letter sent to Governor Murphy, O’Scanlon stated, “The antisemitism built into Newark’s event appears to have been funded by State taxpayers.” He further elaborated that the City of Newark receives substantial state funding, with the Mayor’s Brick City Peace Collective specifically receiving special grants totaling $8 million in the last two years. “No spending plans have been shared by the Administration despite past requests. $6.5 million remains in state accounts,” O’Scanlon wrote.
At the heart of the controversy was the event’s recognition of Amiri Baraka, the former State Poet Laureate who had previously peddled an antisemitic conspiracy theory related to the 9-11 attacks. O’Scanlon emphasized that Baraka was stripped of his title in 2003, criticizing the recent event for glorifying him “with State taxpayer dollars.”
Additionally, the event hosted panelists with alleged links to antisemitic views or actions. One panelist, Zellie Imani, was previously identified by the Anti-Defamation League for allegedly glorifying or excusing terrorism against Israelis. Another panelist, Minister Abdul Haqq Muhammad, is associated with the Nation of Islam, a group documented by the Anti-Defamation League as antisemitic.
O’Scanlon’s letter concludes with a call to action, urging the return of taxpayer dollars potentially used for this event and a freeze on the remaining $6.5 million allocated to the Mayor’s Brick City Peace Collective, unless clear spending plans ensure no support to antisemitic entities.