MAYORS AND VICTIMS OF NON-VIOLENT CANNABIS CONVICTIONS TO CALL FOR EXPUNGEMENTS

What:            

Mayor Steven M. Fulop, Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Hoboken Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla,  Bridgeton Mayor Albert Kelly, Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr, and New Jersey residents whose lives remain affected by non-violent cannabis convictions will hold a press conference to call for complete expungements of such convictions.

The coalition of mayors is calling upon the State Legislature to pass bills that will expunge all misdemeanor convictions for possession of cannabis and review all felony offenses for downgrade and expungement.

The residents will discuss how these non-violent convictions – even years after ending their jail, probation, and parole terms – have left them unable to gain the jobs, licenses, loans, and mortgages needed to escape poverty and personal shame.  They ask that their convictions be expunged to enable them to get on with their lives.

Joining the residents and mayors will be the following dignitaries:

• Michael J. Venezia, Mayor, Bloomfield Township
• Tim McDonough, Mayor of Hope Township and President of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors
• Ronald Rice, Senator, New Jersey State Legislature

When:            11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 30, 2019
 

Where:           Newark City Hall Press Room

                        920 Broad Street

                       Newark, NJ 07102

Who:               Mayor Steven M. Fulop
Mayor Ras J. Baraka

                        Mayor of City of Hoboken Ravi S. Bhalla

Bridgeton Mayor and President of the New Jersey Urban Mayors Association Albert Kelly

Fanwood Mayor and President of the New Jersey League of Municipalities Colleen Mahr

New Jersey residents whose lives are affected by cannabis offense convictions