As a speaker at the UMDNJ United Legislative Breakfast on May 16 in Newark, NJ, URA Executive Board member reported back on the climate at the breakfast:

By the time I arrived at the event the feelings were tense. All the speakers were against the merger. Sen. Ron L. Rice (D-28) was the most outspoken about the merger. He said that he will keep us posted once he finds answers to all his questions. Newark Mayor Cory Booker also spoke out against the merger. Rev. Dr. Elijah Williams of Welcome Baptist Church and member of UMDNJ’s Board of Concerned Citizens said that we need to be visible and demonstrate like when they fought to get UMDNJ built. He also said that we all need to come out for the big demonstration being held on June 13th.

Various union members spoke on the merger, including those from the URA-AFT, HPAE, AAUP-UMDNJ and the Teamsters.