Ras Baraka, the mayor of Newark, New Jersey, has announced a curfew for the area surrounding Delaney Hall, an immigration detention center, following increased tensions. The announcement was made on Sunday morning amid reports of confrontations between law enforcement and protesters. Baraka stated that the curfew is necessary to protect public safety due to escalating incidents, including arrests of individuals possessing weapons.
The curfew restricts movement within half a mile of the detention center from 9 PM to 6 AM Eastern Time. Doremus Avenue will also be closed to those unable to verify their need to be in the area.
Delaney Hall has been the site of ongoing protests, particularly after detainees began a hunger strike to protest reported poor living conditions, including expired food and inadequate medical care. According to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, approximately 71% of individuals in ICE detention had no criminal convictions as of April.
Protesters have been gathering outside the facility, forming human chains and barricades, which has led to confrontations with law enforcement. Governor Mikie Sherrill has called for designated protest zones to reduce conflict and has expressed her desire for Delaney Hall to be shut down. She has also faced challenges accessing the facility, citing interference from out-of-state groups as a factor in the escalating tensions.
Sherrill emphasized the importance of peaceful protests and stated that actions taken by state and local officials aim to prevent expanded ICE operations in New Jersey.
