When President Obama arrives at Rutgers-Newark to talk up criminal justice reform Monday,he'll be joined by U.
S. Senator and former Newark Mayor Cory Booker, and Booker's successor, and current Mayor Ras Baraka.The two make something of an odd pair. Baraka rose to prominence as Booker's chief antagonist in the city: first as a community activist speaking out against the tactics of Booker's police director,Garry McCarty, and later as the leader of the anti-Booker flank in the Newark City Council.
Their relationship has improved in recent years since Booker left for Washington and Baraka became mayor."I deem they own moved into a very estimable space, and " said Rick Thigpen,a former political strategist in Newark. "The president is coming to Newark to talk about what is in fact a major national issue, criminal justice reform. Both Mayor Baraka and Senator Booker are now very active in this subject and are working together very well."Thigpen spoke with WNYC's Richard Hake.
Source: wnyc.org