MAYOR RAS J. BARAKA STATEMENT ON RECENT EVENTS AT DELANEY HALL

“For well over a year, there have been constant protests in front of Delaney Hall, with people from all over the state coming together to voice their concerns and to try to shut it down.

“During one of those protests, I was arrested and charged. My longtime friend and Congresswoman McIver still faces serious charges because of that protest. I know all too well how ICE can abuse its authority; it is one of the reasons for my personal lawsuit against them. Nonetheless, Newark remains committed to our immigrant residents, and we are still fighting in court with the GEO Group as I write this.

“The conditions in this facility, and the lack of due process, brought matters to a head. Governor Sherrill visited Delaney Hall and was turned away. Since, she has demanded that State health officials be given access to ensure that the detainees are provided with adequate healthcare. To date, that demand has gone unanswered by the Trump administration and ICE. That is precisely why peaceful protests are necessary, so that the inhumane conditions at Delaney Hall are not lost sight of.

“I want to condemn ICE’s escalation at Delaney Hall. Prior to their arrival, residents had been able to protest peacefully without violence. The use of riot gear, flash bangs, tear gas, and similar tactics against lawfully assembled protesters is wrong and clearly untenable. It is also imperative that this behavior not be replicated by state or local police.

“We have protests in our city frequently, and we condemn the use of these tactics, as they erode community trust and partnership. At Delaney, we have been able to witness firsthand, how these practices have turned peaceful gatherings into violent chaos broadcast across national television.

“Conversely, it is also important to note that burning tires in the street, throwing bottles or bricks, and bringing weapons to protests have made this situation more dangerous, especially for fellow protesters and detracts from their original premise. These protests have now become focused on ICE itself rather than on the detainees, their inhumane treatment, the violation of the U.S. Constitution, and Trump’s racist and xenophobic policies and tactics.

“Our collective responsibility must always be to apply pressure and highlight the inherent barbarism of these ideas and the lack of humanity in their tactics. However, our attempts to protect our residents from harm have been so grossly mischaracterized that we have been accused of protecting ICE and upholding these backward ideas. That is offensive for several reasons. In Newark, it will always be our job to restore order, disrupt violence, and protect the people of our city and we must do so whether we agree with their actions or not.”