NJLM President to Join Other Mayors on Expungement

On Wednesday, League President Colleen Mahr, Mayor of Fanwood will join Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, Hoboken Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla, Bridgeton Mayor Albert Kelly, and New Jersey residents whose lives remain affected by non-violent cannabis convictions and  hold a press conference to call for complete expungements of such convictions.   The press conference will take place as follows:

Wednesday, January 30, 11 a.m.

City Hall Press Room

920 Broad Street

Newark, NJ

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.

Also expected to attend are:

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

For more information about this press conference, contact the Newark Press Information Office – (973) 733-8004.  E-mail: Pressoffice@ci.newark.nj.us

For information about the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, contact Michael Darcy at 609-510-9472.

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