Camden Residents Respond to Camden Political Leaders’ Comments about Governor Murphy — Press Conference 

The Camden We Choose Coalition, Camden residents, NAACP, National Action Network, Camden Teachers Union, Camden Parents Union, CWA, Camden High Alumni association, Concerned Black Clergy, and others will hold a press conference today, May 20 at 1 PM at the Ferry Ave Library, 852 Ferry Ave. Camden NJ. 

This press conference comes on the heels of the recent comments from Mayor Frank Moran, council President Curtis Jenkins, and State Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez in which they declared that the Governor is not welcome in Camden. It also comes after last week’s “political pep rally” with former governors and other state actors, an event that was not open to the public or Camden residents. It also comes after months of advocacy by Camden residents and educators on behalf of our public schools and public workers, who have been marginalized.

The Governor is more than welcome in Camden, and in fact we invite him here. 89% of Camden residents voted for Governor Murphy in 2017, and he’s been a strong supporter of the City since his election. We look forward to working with him to make Camden even stronger. 

It is also important to note that residents do not see the recent exercise in governmental accountability via the Tax Credit Task Forces as an “attack” on Camden, but rather a welcome process to root out possible corruption that has preyed on our city and exploited its impoverished residents. 

In short, removing corruption from Camden’s political space will help to elevate the voices of Camden’s residents, which have for so long been silenced by powerful, unelected forces. 

The Coalition will also be announcing our Equity Bus Tour on June 6 with Kevin Quinn, chairman of the EDA. The tour will be open to invited leaders, and will offer a view of Camden from the resident’s perspective, with special focus on economic development and educational opportunity.