NEWARK – North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr. kicked off his campaign for a fifth term on Friday, announcing his intentions in front of a large crowd of supporters that included Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo and Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz.

Councilman Ramos, who was first elected to the City Council in 2006, will run on the Team Baraka slate in the May 10 non-partisan municipal election.

A city ordinance that would protect building service workers sponsored by North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr. unanimously passed the City Council today.

To say that the year 2020 has been a difficult year is understatement. The incredible loss of life due to this virus we are only now starting to understand is truly tragic. Millions of lives have been changed forever due to the after effects of this pandemic. Families have been separated. Small businesses have closed. People have lost their jobs.

So much negativity can be attributed to the year 2020.

For me, despite the anxiety and uncertainty, 2020 presented glimmers of hope. I witnessed the very best of people: