Violent confrontations between anti-ICE demonstrators and state police continued Saturday outside Delaney Hall, with tear gas deployed and a curfew enacted by Newark's mayor.
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Tensions outside Delaney Hall, a federal immigration detention center in Newark, escalated Saturday for the second consecutive night as anti-ICE protesters clashed with New Jersey State Police, leading authorities to deploy tear gas and enforce a curfew.
Demonstrators breached orange protective fencing at the facility, dragging barriers to the sides of the street and continuing to trespass on the grounds. Multiple rounds of tear gas were fired into crowds as officers in riot gear moved to regain control of the area. New Jersey State Police riot and mounted units were deployed outside the facility.
Early Saturday morning, State Police temporarily cleared the area outside Delaney Hall as officers worked to secure a path for vehicles leaving the facility. New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said the measure was taken to secure the perimeter. Governor Mikie Sherrill stated the action was meant "to avoid escalation from ICE," adding that state police intervened to keep protesters safe. "We did not make this decision lightly," Sherrill said. "It was absolutely necessary to avoid escalation from ICE."
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."
Sherrill had announced Friday that "peaceful" protest zones would be established "immediately" and that "we all need to do everything we can to cool things down now." The governor stated she would not give ICE "the pretext to expand operations" in New Jersey. At a Saturday afternoon press conference, Sherrill said that five of six individuals arrested Friday were "outside agitators," though she did not release their identities or identify the outside groups with which they were associated. "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," she said.
On Friday, Brendan John Geier, 26, was charged with allegedly "kicking and biting" ICE officers outside the Newark detention center, leaving what authorities described as "horrific wounds." Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the charges in a social media post that included photos of bloodied and bruised officers. "Peaceful protest doesn't translate to violently attacking federal law enforcement officers," Blanche said. "Federal officers are protecting United States' property and facilities. With virtually no local law enforcement support from New Jersey, rioters are regrouping and attacking."
Saturday saw dueling demonstrations outside the facility. Approximately 200 pro-ICE supporters and roughly 300 anti-ICE demonstrators were each cordoned off behind separate barricades. The groups continued to shout and hurl insults at one another. Pro-ICE supporters chanted "We love ICE" and "U-S-A!" while anti-ICE protesters chanted "Stop the raid! Stop the hate! Immigration makes us great!"
John Raftery, 70, attended the pro-ICE rally wearing a red MAGA hat and carrying a sign reading "American First." He stated: "Right now, [ICE is] only doing their job, which is to protect Americans, New Jerseyans and keep these people off the streets." Counterprotesters, including members of the Proud Boys, arrived at Delaney Hall to support ICE agents.
Sherrill and Davenport criticized ICE and the Trump administration for tactics used by federal agents at similar immigration protests across the country. Davenport said: "Unlike what we have seen out of Washington in recent months, we care deeply in our state about protecting our constitutional rights." Both officials referenced the deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota earlier this year during similar immigration protests.
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