In Newark, N.J., organized rioters ignored a State Police order to move to a designated ‘First Amendment zone’ on Friday night. This led to a violent confrontation between law enforcement and the crowd. Although Gov. Mikie Sherrill assured that police were present to protect them from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, the rioters insisted on staying put.
Using a PA system, a police officer instructed the crowd, ‘For your security, we need you to relocate to the First Amendment zone.’ However, the rioters responded, ‘We will not, we will not, I’m expressing my First Amendment right here.’
The clash unfolded at the Delaney Hall ICE facility in Newark. Several hours into the standoff, officers, some on horseback, employed riot control measures such as noise bombs, tear gas, pepper spray, and riot shields to disperse the rioters. Earlier in the day, police had set up barriers for the zone, which rioters repurposed as weapons against the officers.
New Jersey Gov. Sherrill stressed through social media that her main concern was the safety of state residents and communities. She declared, ‘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.
During the night, rioters inflicted significant damage to ICE vehicles. Protests have become a routine event at the detention center, known for limited cooperation between federal immigration authorities and local law enforcement.
ICE praised the police support for controlling the rioters’ violence. The federal agency expressed its gratitude on social media, stating that the cooperation with New Jersey State Police communicated a strong stance against assaults on law enforcement officers.
The Department of Homeland Security echoed this sentiment, expressing gratitude towards local law enforcement for their role in upholding order and protecting officers’ safety.
Rioters reportedly organized supplies, including bottles of water, set up in a tent near the main protest site. This clash marked the seventh consecutive day of protest at the facility. While rioters accuse the facility of mistreating detained illegal immigrants, DHS maintains that inmates receive proper care and are compensated for any work conducted on-site.
The situation escalated with ICE agents dispersed pepper balls into the crowd while state law enforcement intervened, resulting in extensive damage to vehicles and the use of tear gas and pepper spray.
The following day saw heightened police presence during a demonstration that included counter-protesters and pro-ICE supporters.