Newark Seeks To Unite Residents With First-Ever ‘Peace Week’

NEWARK, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the City of Newark. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site.

Mayor Ras Baraka announced Thursday that Newark will host its first-ever “Peace Week” from Monday, Aug. 30 through Sunday, Sept. 5 at several sites around the city to unite residents and promote peace.

The events will include Health and Wellness Wednesday, a resource fair, a day of remembrance, and “24 Hours of Peace” at Broad and Market Streets.

“Creating a more peaceful City of Newark is about providing our residents with hope, empowerment, positive choices and alternatives to crime and violence,” Baraka said. “Peace Week will bring our diverse community together in unity.”

The Mayor’s Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery and the Brick City Peace Collective organized the program.

“Our goal is to educate the community on the true meaning of peace,” said Lakeesha Eure, director of the Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery. “Peace stands for Proper Education Always Corrects Errors. This is our guiding principle not only during Peace Week, but we want our residents to always know that peace is a choice and a lifestyle.”

The schedule of events is as follows:

• Monday, August 30: “Peace Week Virtual Kickoff.” Residents should wear orange and use the hashtags: #peaceisachoice and #peaceisalifestyle
• Tuesday, August 31: Closing Ceremony (Invite Only), 1 p.m., TREC Center, 55 Ludlow Street
• Wednesday, September 1: Health and Wellness Wednesday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Nat Turner Park, 251-189 18th Avenue
• Thursday, September 2: Resource Fair, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Clubhouse, 205 Spruce Street
• Friday, September 3: 24 Hours of Peace, Kickoff, 6 p.m., Broad and Market Streets
• Saturday, September 4: 24 Hours of Peace, Kickoff, 7 a.m., Broad and Market Streets
• Sunday, September 5: A Day of Remembrance, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., West Side Park Community Center, 600 South 17th Street.

24 Hours of Peace is also celebrating its 10th year anniversary. The event will showcase celebrity artists and local talent, as well as a display of vendors, yoga, mindful meditation, tips on healthy eating habits, and information on social and emotional services available in Newark. Additionally, family movies and a Kidz Zone are planned for children.

For more information, contact the Mayor’s Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery at (973) 733-5655.

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