Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was horrified by Republican gubernatorial candidate Kim Guadagno’s sanctuary state ad, and issued a statement on Friday condemning the ad.

The statement follows:

MAYOR RAS J. BARAKA STATEMENT

ON KIM GUADAGNO’S RACIST “WILLIE HORTON” ADVERTISEMENT

“Like Donald Trump, there is no limit to the lies that the Republican candidate for governor is telling. Donald Trump’s big lie is to equate murderers and rapists with peaceful undocumented immigrants who contribute to our economy. In her latest TV ad, the Republican candidate for governor does exactly the same thing.

“Newark is a sanctuary city because we are not going to sacrifice thousands of people who live among us, who are part of our community, and who contribute to the economy and vitality of our city. We are not going to tear families apart. Phil Murphy proposes to make that the policy of the entire state.

“Murders and rapists and other serious criminals in Newark and throughout America are prosecuted to the full extent of the law regardless of their immigration status. So, when the Republican candidate for governor says that Phil Murphy has the backs of murderers and rapists, she is repeating one of Donald Trump’s most despicable lies.

“The Republican TV ad is yet another reminder of how important it is to vote this year to strike powerful blow against the Trump/Republican assault on social justice and racial equality.”