Newark’s Mayor Ras Baraka Arrested While Protesting ICE Detention Center
NEW JERSEY – Newark Mayor and gubernatorial candidate Ras Baraka has been taken into custody at the newly opened Delaney Hall ICE detention center.
Details Surrounding the Arrest
A spokesperson for Baraka’s gubernatorial campaign confirmed his arrest, indicating that he was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
According to Alina Habba, the Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Baraka “committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings from Homeland Security Investigations to remove himself from the ICE detention center.” The mayor’s arrest occurred as he attempted to join a tour with several members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation.
Protests Against Delaney Hall
Baraka had been vocal against the opening of Delaney Hall, an ICE detention center operated by the GEO Group, which commenced operations on May 1. His office had previously stated that “Delaney Hall cannot lawfully open in Newark at this time,” expressing strong opposition to the facility’s presence in the community.
Congress Members Weigh In
During the incident, Congress members Robert Menendez, LaMonica McIver, and Bonnie Watson Coleman were present, with reports indicating that both McIver and Watson-Coleman were subjected to physical altercations with ICE officers.
McIver remarked, “They not only arrested the mayor of Newark but put their hands on two members of Congress,” underscoring the tense atmosphere surrounding the protest.
