Newark Latin Fest Kicks Off ‘Peace Week,’ an Alternative to Crime

NEWARK — Throngs of people filled Bloomfield Avenue in the city's North Ward on Sunday for a celebration of Latin culture that kicked off a series of city events geared at conflict resolution.

Jannet Alston celebrated with a Cuban flag draped around her shoulders.

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“I like the fact that you have diversity, and you see different people from different places,” Alston, 43, said as music played from the stage.

Newark’s seventh-annual Latin Festival highlighted the beginning of “Peace Week,” which is set to culminate Saturday, Aug. 24, at 6 p.m., in the West Ward at South 10th Street and Central Avenue with the annual “24 Hours of Peace,” Mayor Ras J. Baraka announced.

The event uses hip-hop culture to engage the community and have meaningful dialogue on issues including nonviolence and conflict resolution, Baraka said.

“We fuse the power of hip-hop music and spoken word to lift, heal, and inspire peace in our city, empowering every resident in that process, and bringing healing, hope and happiness into everyday life,” Baraka said in a statement. “During these 24 Hours of Peace, we celebrate the reality that women are at the center of our city’s evolution.”

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At Latin Fest, Lamont Vaughn, an outreach coordinator with the city’s Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery, was on hand.

“Ultimately, this is a peace initiative, a peace festival. It marks the beginning of ‘Peace Week’ here in the city," said Vaughn, who helped found the initiative 12 years ago. “There are going to be events going on ... leading up to the '24 Hours of Peace.' ”

The goal, he said, is to disseminate the message of peace at all the events leading up to Saturday’s hip-hop festival.

Headline entertainers scheduled to perform at 24 Hours of Peace include: Mýa, Rah Digga, Lady Luck, Lola Brooke, Leah Jenea, Yo-Yo, Nikki D, Roxanne Shanté, Justina, Valentine, The Lady of Rage, Lady London, Sunshine Anderson, Asian Doll, Juciiy 2xs, Monie Love.

Upcoming Peace Week events, according to the city:

Tuesday, Aug. 20: “Peacekeeping Ward of the Year Day 2” will be held at West Ward Park via United Community Corporation between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 21: The “Artist Against Violence” concert will be staged at Newark Symphony Hall’s Terrace Ballroom, 1020 Broad St. Transforming the space into a vibrant arena for change and unity, doors will open at 4 p.m., with the show going from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The night will feature powerful words from dignitaries and performances by some of Newark’s brightest local talents, including Bonnie The Poet, Evie The Takeover, A Pressure, Bundles FVG, Young Zaak, Hez, J.1.DA, Bratz Killem, Tinkaa G, Kellz Merlin, and Samad Savage, and DJ KilsoSouth. Special guests 2RARE and D4M $loan will also perform.

Thursday, Aug. 22: “Health & Wellness Village: Senior Edition” is to take place at Temple of Hip Hop, 55 Ludlow Avenue, from noon to 5 p.m., followed by the “Ride for Peace” at 6 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 23: 24 Hrs of Peace event will start at 6 p.m., and continue to Saturday, Aug. 24, at 6 p.m., at South 10th Street and Central Avenue. The event is free and open to the public.

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