Protesters and New Jersey State Police clashed on Sunday night near Delaney Hall, following a 9 p.m. curfew imposed by Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. The curfew applies to a half-mile radius around the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility, where protests have been ongoing for over a week. The curfew is set to continue nightly until 6 a.m. until further notice.
As the curfew began, police issued a warning to protesters gathered outside the designated area. Thirteen minutes later, state police in riot gear advanced towards the crowd, while mounted officers surrounded them, leading to a standoff. At least one individual was taken into custody during the incident.
Protester Ian Austen, who returned to the demonstration with injuries from a previous night, described being shot with a rubber bullet and showed his wounds to CBS News New York.
Earlier on Sunday, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill announced that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had agreed to restore family visitation at Delaney Hall, which had been suspended amid allegations of inadequate food and medical care for detainees—claims that DHS denies. Limited visitation was set to resume at noon on Sunday, with regular hours starting Monday.
Governor Sherrill condemned the violence during the protests, stating that such clashes endanger both protesters and law enforcement, and detract from the focus on the detainees and their families. She urged peaceful demonstrations and criticized outside agitators for contributing to the unrest.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other New Jersey representatives visited Delaney Hall on Sunday, with Jeffries expressing concern over the conditions observed. He emphasized the need for humane immigration enforcement. Immigration advocates have reported that detainees have been on a hunger strike for over a week due to poor living conditions.
DHS has stated that detainees receive three meals a day and access to medical care, denying claims of a hunger strike. DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis accused sanctuary politicians of spreading false information that incites violence at the facility.
