NJ Gubernatorial Candidate In The HOT Seat After Applauding THIS Controversial Rhetoric!

A video has emerged showing Baraka applauding Farrakhan's racially charged and violent remarks during a Kwanzaa celebration in 2004. Farrakhan, known for his anti-Semitic views, had urged the predominantly African American audience to retaliate if "the cracker hit you on the jaw," and referred to white people as "the devil."

According to The Washington Free Beacon, Baraka, who was serving as Newark's deputy mayor at the time, had invited Farrakhan to the event. The Newark mayor praised Farrakhan as a "role model" whose teachings had helped him "become a man" during his college years. The video, released by the Nation of Islam, shows Baraka standing and applauding Farrakhan's inflammatory comments.

March 28, 2025

In response to the resurfacing of the video, Baraka issued a lengthy statement to Jewish Insider, asserting that he would "not be bullied." He stated, "I will not be bullied or silenced into walking away from the fight for justice. I will not be cowed into denouncing my lifelong work for peace, equality, and equity." He went on to dismiss the allegations as "false" and a reflection of the fear his candidacy is causing within the political establishment.

Baraka also defended the Nation of Islam, stating, "The Nation of Islam holds deep respect in many parts of the Black community because of the work theyve done to reduce violence and support self-determination in neighborhoods that have been ignored and abandoned for generations."

However, the Nation of Islam and Farrakhan have a long history of anti-Semitism. Farrakhan has previously compared Jews to "termites" and praised Adolf Hitler as a "very great man." The organization also sent a letter to several House Democrats in 2018, urging them to ignore "Satanic Jews."

Despite the controversy, Baraka remains a leading candidate in the Democratic gubernatorial race. He identifies himself as an "underdog," even though a March 5 Fairleigh Dickinson University poll shows him as the most favored among the six Democratic candidates vying for the governor's mansion.

During the 2004 speech, Farrakhan also praised Baraka's father, Amiri Baraka, who was known for his anti-Semitic views. Amiri Baraka, while serving as New Jerseys poet laureate in 2002, wrote a poem suggesting that Jews had prior knowledge of the 9/11 attacks.

In his statement to Jewish Insider, Ras Baraka vehemently denied any anti-Semitic accusations. He stated, "I am not antisemitic. I have never been. And its offensive and irresponsible for anyone to suggest otherwise." He added that he has always worked towards building bridges across communities, faiths, and backgrounds for justice and peace.

However, Baraka did praise Farrakhan and his teachings during the 2004 event. He said, "It wasnt until I heard the voice and the organization of the Nation of Islam and Minister Louis Farrakhan that I really began to try to stand up straight and get the courage that I needed to get to begin to organize in the community the way I should have."

Baraka hosted Farrakhan again in 2017 to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of the Million Man March. During this event, Farrakhan made controversial comments about American taxpayers' money being given to Israel and the need for a separate state for African Americans due to their treatment by white America.

While Baraka did not respond to requests for comment, his association with anti-Israel groups has been evident throughout his campaign. On March 11, he spoke at an anti-ICE rally featuring the Council on American-Islamic Relations New Jersey, a group known for its anti-Semitic views.

This controversy underscores the delicate balance politicians must strike between their personal beliefs and the public's expectations. As the gubernatorial race heats up, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact Baraka's campaign and the broader political landscape in New Jersey.