Murphy order flags lowered in honor of Mayor Gibson

New Jersey flags will fly at half-staff on Monday to honor the life of former Newark Mayor Kenneth Gibson, who died on Friday at age 86.

“Today’s Newark has its foundation due to Mayor Gibson’s work,” said Gov. Phil Murphy, who signed an executive order on Sunday directing the lowering of flags in memory of Gibson. “Although we lost Mayor Gibson, his legacy will continue to live on.”

Gibson served as mayor of New Jersey’s largest city from 1970 to 1986 and twice sought the Democratic nomination for governor.  He was the first black mayor of a major northeastern city.