Democratic Candidate Ras Baraka Caught Applauding Louis Farrakhan's Controversial Statements

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, a prominent Democratic contender for the New Jersey gubernatorial race, has landed in hot water after a resurfaced video shows him applauding and embracing Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, known for his inflammatory rhetoric. Farrakhan's remarks in the video included calling White people "demons" and advocating for violent retaliation, statements that have long positioned him as a divisive figure in American discourse.

Farrakhan, now 91, has a storied history of making incendiary comments targeting Jews, White people, and the LGBTQ community. He famously referred to Adolf Hitler as a "great man" and has been labeled one of the most prominent antisemites by organizations like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). Unsurprisingly, his controversial legacy continues to reverberate, as seen in Baraka’s past remarks.

The 2004 video, filmed at a Newark church, shows Baraka introducing Farrakhan as "the leader of every Black person" and expressing admiration for his moral authority and historical insight. Baraka’s enthusiastic standing ovations during the speech, including when Farrakhan dismissed non-violent protests and described violent retribution, have drawn sharp criticism. Farrakhan declared, "We didn’t believe in no non-violence. The cracker hit you on your jaw, you break his neck. That’s the way we think." Baraka responded with applause.

Farrakhan also used the speech to condemn White people as "the enemy," implying they were deceitful and violent. "You’re dealing with a devil, man," Farrakhan said. "These demons will even kill a policeman and then blame it on you." He went on to criticize African Americans who joined the military and disparaged interracial relationships, adding fuel to an already volatile speech.

Baraka has hosted Farrakhan on multiple occasions, including a 2012 address to over 1,000 high school students at Newark’s Central High School, where Baraka served as principal. In 2017, as mayor, Baraka organized another Farrakhan event titled "Separation or Death," where Farrakhan reportedly called for reparations and suggested African Americans form a separate state. Farrakhan also publicly endorsed Baraka in a 2018 speech, solidifying their continued association.

Following the video's resurfacing, Baraka defended himself in a statement to Jewish Insider, refusing to back down from his political aspirations. "I will not be bullied or silenced into walking away from the fight for justice," he said. He also praised the Nation of Islam for its work in reducing violence and promoting self-determination in marginalized communities.

Criticism of Baraka has snowballed, with organizations like the ADL and Southern Poverty Law Center underscoring Farrakhan’s divisive rhetoric and the Nation of Islam’s classification as a hate group. The ADL documents numerous instances of Farrakhan's antisemitic and racist comments, many of which have been delivered during his annual Saviours' Day speeches. The resurfaced footage has reignited debates about Baraka’s suitability as a gubernatorial candidate and his past affiliations.

Baraka's campaign website pitches his vision for "reimagining New Jersey" as a state of equity and unity, regardless of race, gender, or nationality. He has proposed policies to reconstruct the state budget with equity as a guiding principle. However, the controversy surrounding his past statements and associations now threatens to overshadow his campaign narrative.