NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Newark Mayor Ras Baraka announced a curfew early Sunday around Delaney Hall, an immigration detention center in New Jersey, following clashes between protesters and police. The curfew will be in effect from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. until further notice.
The decision to impose the curfew came after multiple confrontations between law enforcement and demonstrators at the facility, where protesters were seen attempting to breach barricades while police used riot shields to maintain order. A video shared on social media depicted police on horseback moving into crowds to disperse the protests.
The demonstrations at Delaney Hall began earlier this month after advocates reported that detainees initiated a hunger strike due to poor living conditions at the facility, which has a capacity of 1,000 beds.
On Friday, New Jersey state police took over from federal immigration enforcement agents who had been engaged with protesters for several days.
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill commented on the situation, stating that masked individuals attacked barriers in a designated protest area and engaged in violent actions, including throwing projectiles and setting tires on fire. She emphasized the need for calm and urged advocates to focus on improving conditions for detainees and their families, as well as advocating for the closure of Delaney Hall.
Additionally, Sherrill announced that the federal government has resumed family visitations at Delaney Hall starting Sunday. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed that visitations had been suspended due to violent riots but could now resume with a secure perimeter established.