Queen Latifah, Celebs Spread The Love In Newark At '24 Hours Of Peace'

NEWARK, NJ — Hip hop stars, celebrities and community leaders came together to renounce violence and call for unity and love in New Jersey’s largest city last weekend.

Newark’s annual “24 Hours of Peace” event on Friday and Saturday – which included free performances and community outreach activities – drew a lineup of national and local talent. Everyone in attendance had a common goal: putting a “time-out” on a recent wave of violence in the city.

The guests included host Queen Latifah, an Essex County native who recently helped to build a lauded new housing project in the city. Other musicians and performers included Faith Evans, Fabolous, CL Smooth, Rowdy Rebel, Fivio Foreign, G Herbo, 2Rare and Hakim Green, the event’s co-founder.

Check out some video footage from this year’s 24 Hours of Peace here and here.

Latifah isn’t the only celebrity to lend their star power to the effort. Previous 24 Hours of Peace events have attracted support from the likes of Snoop Dogg, Talib Kweli and Big Daddy Kane. Read More: Snoop Dogg Says Stop The Violence In Newark For '24 Hours Of Peace' (WATCH)

“The 24 Hours of Peace event is more than an occasion to enjoy entertainment, food, poetry and movies,” Baraka said prior to this year’s celebration. “It is a time for our residents to unify, to get access to important resources and information, to share ideas and solutions at a town hall meeting, and join together to end violence and move a peaceful Newark forward.”

• See related article: 'Peace Walk' Against Gun Violence Unites Thousands In Newark

Some internet commenters had questioned the city’s decision to bring rap stars to the city to decry violence. But Baraka – who has used music as a way to reach out to local gang leaders in the past – said that hip hop culture has always been founded on change.

“Yeah, we’re bringing rappers here,” he said prior to last weekend’s events. “Yeah, we’re going to make them say something about peace and positivity for our community. They have to – they must.”

“Those who can inspire the wrong kind of change can also inspire the right kind of change,” the mayor added.

• See related article: From 'The Underground' To City Council: Iconic Rapper Gets Political

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