New Jersey State Police and protesters clash outside Delaney Hall in Newark amid conflicting reports.
Protests surrounding the Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, New Jersey, escalated into violent confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement late Friday night. The unrest occurred despite Governor Mikie Sherrill’s recent initiative to establish protected protest zones aimed at maintaining peace outside the facility.
Tensions flared when police requested protesters to disperse to allow personnel to exit the building. Attorney General Jennifer Davenport indicated in a statement that the police actions were a response to a small group’s refusal to comply, who reportedly deployed fireworks and hurled gas canisters at officers. Davenport characterized these actions as dangerous and asserted they jeopardized public safety.
Witness accounts from demonstrators described situations of being encircled by police, with one protester stating they were given only minutes to leave before being forced back by officers. Individuals in attendance reported that officers utilized tear gas, pepper balls, and potentially rubber bullets during the clash. Notably, some protestors alleged that state troopers charged at them on foot and horseback.
Davenport explained that police intervened to ensure the safety of all involved, including those engaged in peaceful protest. The aim was to temporarily clear the area outside Delaney Hall to mitigate the potential for escalation in hostilities associated with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities. Both Davenport and Governor Sherrill underscored their commitment to maintaining public safety while protecting constitutional rights to peaceful assembly.
The unrest coincided with ongoing protests initiated by detainees inside Delaney Hall, who began a hunger strike to protest unsanitary living conditions. Officials from the facility have denied claims regarding inadequate treatment of inmates in the 1,000-bed center.
In a related incident earlier in the week, Sherrill, alongside U.S. Senator Andy Kim and other members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation, attempted to inspect the facility. Although Sherrill’s request was formally denied, Senator Kim was permitted entry. Upon leaving, he encountered clashes between protesters and ICE agents and reported having been pepper-sprayed in the process.
Law enforcement has arrested several demonstrators in connection with the ongoing protests, with at least six individuals taken into custody on charges of assaulting officers. The situation continues to evolve as authorities and community leaders focus on addressing the concerns raised by both the protestors and the detainees regarding the operational practices of the detention facility.
As the demonstrations persist, calls for safe protest zones remain relevant, with officials urging demonstrators to engage peacefully while advocating for the rights of detainees and calling for systemic changes within the immigration detention system.
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