Protest Continues Outside Newark Immigration Detention Center Amid Hunger Strike
Protests persist outside Delaney Hall in Newark, with demonstrators attempting to block detainee transfers during an ongoing hunger strike. Local officials have reported clashes with ICE agents, raising concerns about conditions within the facility.
Demonstrations outside the Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark entered their third day, as protesters erected barriers to impede vehicles they believed were moving detainees during a hunger strike initiated last Friday. Activists, joined by local officials including Congress members and Gov. Mikie Sherrill, faced hostility from ICE agents, who utilized pepper spray and an armored vehicle to disperse crowds over the Memorial Day weekend.
Protesters continue to vocalize their demands, chanting slogans such as "Quit your job!" while holding signs. The hunger strike involves approximately 300 detainees, some of whom have expressed dissatisfaction with their living conditions and treatment in an open letter highlighting issues like poor food quality and lack of due process. Kara Morillo, an organizer, reported that the detainees' protests had persisted as of Tuesday.
Rep. Rob Menendez, after gaining access to the facility, noted that many detainees had their access to communication restricted. Menendez characterized the situation, stating that detainees, including protest leader Martin Soto, require care and food that meets dietary restrictions. He emphasized that conditions within Delaney Hall were inhumane, citing ventilation and healthcare deficiencies.
Clashes last weekend saw ICE officers forcibly pushing back protesters, with officials claiming they acted to protect federal property. The Department of Homeland Security asserted that no individuals were directly hit by projectiles used during the protests and maintained their use of minimal force. However, the situation has drawn criticism, particularly from community advocates who describe the facility as a site of violence despite its exterior appearance.
Amid ongoing tensions, the community organized to block the transfer of Soto, who was ultimately moved to another facility, prompting further frustration among advocates. Menendez criticized the lack of transparency in ICE's operations regarding detainee management, calling for humane treatment of those held at Delaney Hall.
