Delaney Hall protesters arrested after violating first night of curfew
Arrests made at Delaney Hall as curfew remains in effect
Following a chaotic weekend of demonstrations outside the Delaney Hall detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, state police in riot gear made multiple arrests late Sunday night after protesters violated a newly implemented curfew.
NEWARK, N.J. - Following a weekend of chaotic demonstrations outside the Delaney Hall detention facility, police made multiple arrests late Sunday night after protesters violated a newly implemented curfew.
What we know:
Due to escalating clashes, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka established a curfew over the weekend, closing off a half-mile radius surrounding the privately owned Delaney Detention Center.
Despite the order, a group of demonstrators remained in the area Sunday night. Video footage from the scene showed New Jersey State Police in riot gear making numerous arrests as protesters breached the designated curfew hours.
Delaney Hall protests: Curfew enacted after clashes; DHS restores family visitation
State and local officials announced a breakthrough in conditions at the Delaney Hall immigration detention center amid soaring tensions and a newly enforced nightly curfew.
While the curfew was officially lifted at 6 a.m. Monday, state police have maintained physical barricades around the facility. As of early Monday morning, the area remains cleared of protesters, though law enforcement continues to direct traffic and monitor the perimeter.
Delaney Hall protests
The backstory:
The demonstrations began after immigration advocates reported that detainees inside Delaney Hall had launched a hunger strike to protest poor living conditions. Over the weekend, the situation intensified into physical standoffs.
According to authorities, the protests escalated into chaos when demonstrators: linked arms to form human chains to block vehicles and personnel from entering or exiting; ued trash cans, umbrellas and other makeshift items as shields and barricades; surged police barriers, allegedly throwing rocks and spraying tear gas at officers; and clashed with counter-demonstrators in "pro-ICE" groups.
Officials respond
What they're saying:
The heavy police presence and subsequent arrests have drawn statements from both state and federal officials.
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill authorized the deployment of state police to restore order. She stated that the police response was necessary to secure the area and minimize violence after protesters threw rocks at unprotected individuals and deployed tear gas.
Sherrill also noted that the state's intervention stands in contrast to a potential federal "ICE surge," which she emphasized her administration is committed to preventing on New Jersey streets.
FULL PRESSER: Gov. Sherrill provides update on Delaney Hall protests
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill, alongside other state officials, provide an update on the protests at Delaney Hall.
The Department of Homeland Security posted a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, asserting that federal operations will not be deterred by the demonstrations.
"Alongside our New Jersey law enforcement partners, we will not allow violent rioters to slow ICE down. The perimeter around Delaney Hall is fully closed, and our operations continue undeterred. Anyone who attempts to obstruct law enforcement or disrupt our operations will be prosecuted and face justice."
What's next:
Due to the intense protests over the weekend, family visitations at Delaney Hall were temporarily canceled. However, Sherrill confirmed that as of Sunday, the DHS is allowing family visits to resume.
Commuters and residents in Newark should anticipate lingering traffic diversions near the facility as state police maintain the barricaded perimeter.
The Source: Information from this article was provided by official statements and reporting by FOX 5 NY.