Ghostface Killah of the Wu-Tang Clan, Redman and more will perform in the annual “24 Hrs of Peace” event, which spans 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2 on Springfield between Bergen and Blum Streets.
Milk Dee, AZ, Lil Mo, Bobby V, 2KBaby, Lil Poppa, DD Osama, Pleasure P, Hakim Green, Middy Baraka, Asbury Park’s Ryver Bey, and more will also perform.
“Perhaps more than any other annual event in Newark, our 24 Hrs of Peace celebration embodies the true spirit of a city where we solidify our unity and deepen our commitment to each other every day,” said Mayor Ras Baraka in a statement. “Twenty-four hours without violence is the norm in our city now – not the exception. Each year, this event fuses the power of hip-hop music and spoken word to lift, heal, and inspire peace in our city.”
The annual free event, co-founded by Baraka in 2012 when he was a city councilman, advocates a violence-free community by creating a “time-out” from conflict for 24 hours, according to organizers. There will be close to 200 retail and food vendors, community resource information, a poetry session, a town hall meeting, a hip-hop and mental health forum and a midnight movie.
Also at midnight, DJ Antione Qua and Ms. Theresa will pay tribute to the life and legacy of Alvin Ally Dancer O’Shea Sibley, who was killed in New York City while dancing to Beyonce in what authorities there call a hate crime.
Health and wellness activities, including yoga, meditation, Calisthenics with the Bartendaz, and Hip-Hop Fitness with Nikki D , will take place 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday.