Details of the Protest

The protest was organized by Faith in N.J. and Faith in Action, with participants forming a human chain at the facility’s entrance. They chanted and sang, maintaining a non-violent stance. The demonstrators expressed their intention to block access to the center until they were taken into custody.

During the protest, clergy members offered prayers for the detainees, underscoring their concern regarding detention conditions. Some participants indicated their willingness to be arrested as part of their protest actions.

Previous Incidents

This protest followed a similar event on May 7, where Democratic lawmakers and supporters confronted ICE officials at the same facility. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested during that demonstration, facing charges of trespassing amid claims of an assault on an ICE agent during the exchange.

Official Responses

Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin criticized the demonstrators, questioning the intentions behind their protests. “Who do they want released from Delaney Hall?” she asked, emphasizing concerns over the nature of some detainees, including individuals facing serious criminal charges.

ICE officials have stated that roughly 75% of the detainees at Delaney Hall have a criminal background or face pending criminal charges.

Political Reactions

In response to the protests, New Jersey Congress members LaMonica McIver, Bonnie Watson Coleman, and Rob Menendez defended their actions during the earlier demonstration, asserting that the government’s response was excessive and un-American. Coleman remarked on CNN’s State of the Union, “That’s absurd. That’s un-American. That’s scary.”