Tensions between protesters and New Jersey State Police boiled over Saturday for the second night in a row outside Delaney Hall, a federal immigration detention center in New Jersey.
Multiple rounds of tear gas were shot into the crowd, ending what was already a chaotic day in Newark.
Things quickly spiraled out of control outside Delaney Hall on Saturday night as protestors overwhelmed state police, pushing down barricades and testing the limits of the so-called peaceful protest zone that was enforced by state officials.
Officers in riot gear moved in, quickly getting a handle of the chaotic situation.
Late Saturday, Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka announced he would be enacting a curfew outside Delaney Hall moving forward.
In a statement, he said:
“Due to the escalating situation at Delaney Hall and the increasing need for police intervention, immediate action is required to protect public safety. Multiple individuals have already been arrested and found in possession of weapons, underscoring the seriousness of the threat.
“To ensure the safety and well-being of all residents, a mandatory curfew for a half-mile area surrounding Delaney Hall is being implemented, effective immediately.
“Beginning at 12 a.m., Doremus Avenue will be closed to all pedestrian traffic. Vehicle access will be strictly limited to those with verified official business in the area. This curfew will remain in effect nightly from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. until further notice.
“Individuals found in violation of this curfew will be subject to enforcement actions. A warning to leave the area will be issued initially. However, any continued non-compliance will result in removal from the area and the issuance of appropriate summonses and/or further legal action.”
It was an end to a day that saw heated clashes and escalating tension.
Dual protests
Saturday morning, new barriers were installed around the ICE facility in Newark before dueling rallies got started between ICE supporters and opponents, who first launched protests alleging horrible conditions inside Delaney Hall over a week ago.
Republican leaders announced Saturday’s rally in support of ICE, and opponents planned counter-protests. The counter-protesters significantly outnumbered the pro-ICE coalition.
“I’m just here in support of ICE and law enforcement. Why? Because we need to let them do their job,” pro-ICE protester Rachel Castillo said.
She added, “Anyone who is not here in this country legally, I mean, you need to go back. I mean, come back the right way.”
While the temperature hit a boiling point when members of the far right group the Proud Boys arrived, the increased police presence maintained order.
Democratic lawmakers have been joining demonstrations claiming detainees are not getting proper food or medical care, which the Department of Homeland Security denies.
“They are being held in terrible conditions. They are being forced to sign their own deportation orders,” New York Assemblymember Claire Valdez said.
The protests have led to some violent clashes with ICE officers, who have deployed pepper spray to disburse the crowds.
First night of clashes
New Jersey State Police in full riot gear clashed with protesters who were equipped with gas masks and goggles late Friday night. The protesters were given 15 minutes to move to the designated protest zone established outside Delaney Hall or risk arrest, but police said the crowd did not move and several people were arrested.
Gov. Mikie Sherrill had ordered authorities to establish the protected protest zone on Friday. NJ State Police said the zone would allow protests to continue safely and keep a clear path for vehicles at Delaney Hall’s main gate.
Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images 
This is the timeline of events before protesters started clashing with officers, according to state police:
- At approximately 6:01 p.m., state troopers started constructing the designated protest area in coordination with the Newark Department of Public Works.
- By 7:15 p.m., barriers were in place and troopers used a public address system and direct communication to instruct protesters to relocate to the designated area.
- At approximately 9:39 p.m., the State Police Public Safety Response Team gave protesters the first of three dispersal orders.
State police said the crowd did not move after the third order, and that “some individuals began dangerous actions,” leading to six arrests for charges including disorderly conduct, endangering another person and obstruction of justice.
“Due to escalating safety risks, the Public Safety Response Team was deployed to protect personnel and maintain safety for all,” State Police Lt. Col. David Sirotowitz said.
The six arrests included one person from Pennsylvania, four from New York City, and one from Morristown, New Jersey.
DHS posted on X, “Alongside our law enforcement partners in New Jersey, we remain committed to restoring law and order. Anyone who assaults law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Sherrill urges protesters to stay peaceful
Gov. Sherrill said it was necessary for state police to step in after she previously called on ICE and the protesters to de-escalate the situation and “lower the temperature now.”
“We know that people from outside the state have been interfering in the protests and escalating them. Five of the six people arrested last night by state police were from outside New Jersey, and some national extremist groups have become involved in the process here today,” Sherrill said at a news conference Saturday. “To the people coming from out of state to create chaos and dangerous situations, you should not be here. You are not helping the people detained at Delaney Hall, you’re not helping detainee families, and you’re certainly not keeping New Jersey safe.”
During Saturday’s news conference, Sherrill reiterated her ask for protesters to “bring the temperature down” and comply with lawful orders from police.
“My top priority is keeping New Jerseyans and our communities safe – and an increased ICE surge in the area outside of Delaney Hall is a threat to public safety. We know that lives would be at risk were that to happen. And I will not accept that risk. That is why last night, the New Jersey State Police Public Safety Response Team acted to secure the area outside of Delaney Hall. This was absolutely necessary to protect public safety, and avoid escalation from ICE. As Americans, we have a right to protest — and we will continue to ensure New Jersey residents can peacefully exercise their First Amendment rights,” the governor said in an earlier statement.
“Today and going forward, I urge everyone who is protesting to do so peacefully in the safe areas, and work together to bring the temperature down. We need to focus on advocating for better conditions for the detainees, for their families, and ultimately, for the closure of Delaney Hall,” the statement continued.
Hunger strike allegations
Organized protest groups claim Delaney Hall detainees are on hunger and labor strikes due to poor conditions and treatment inside the ICE facility.
Gabriela Soto said her husband, who is detained at the facility, is on a hunger strike.
“He just wants to be out. He’s tired of being in solitary confinement for doing nothing wrong,” she said. “His bruises are going away, but it’s still not justified.”
Homeland Security denies hunger strike allegations and claims detainees are getting three meals a day and access to comprehensive medical care.
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said health inspectors were allowed inside the facility on Thursday, but details on what they found were not released. Gov. Sherrill said inspectors sent by her office were not allowed inside.
N.J. man charged with assaulting officers
A Morris County man is facing charges for allegedly assaulting a federal officer during protests at Delaney Hall on Thursday.
Prosecutors allege 26-year-old Brendan John Geier, of Madison, bit the forearm of an ICE agent who was trying to clear demonstrators from the road outside the facility. They say Geier also kicked another ICE agent and bit the knuckle of a third.
Geier appeared before a judge Friday and was released with location monitoring. Prosecutors said as part of his release, he was prohibited from returning to Delaney Hall.
If found guilty, he faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.