Attorney General Davenport On Public Safety At Delaney Hall

“Unfortunately, a large group of individuals took aggressive actions at Delaney Hall this evening that required state and local law enforcement to react. Rather than remain within the established area for peaceful protest, these individuals attempted to push forward into the zone designated for law enforcement, attacking the barrier and putting the safety of protestors and law enforcement in jeopardy. As a result, a coalition of state and local law enforcement, including the Newark Police Department and the New Jersey State Police, had to step in to disperse crowds to protect civilians and law enforcement. These individuals have also charged at law enforcement, thrown projectiles at law enforcement, and set a fire on Newark’s streets.

"To protect public safety, including after protestors set a fire on our streets, the City of Newark is issuing a curfew in this narrow and localized area. The curfew will be in effect at night, from 9pm to 6am, one-half a mile in each direction from Delaney Hall until further notice. The Newark Police Department and the New Jersey State Police will continue working hand-in-hand to implement the curfew and protect the public. And to maintain public safety in light of tonight’s actions, state and local law enforcement will continue to secure the area outside Delaney Hall.

"We thank the overwhelmingly peaceful protestors, who have been shining a light on the troubling conditions at Delaney Hall—including peacefully throughout the day today.

"We will continue our efforts to work with Governor Sherrill and the Administration to ensure that detainees at Delaney Hall are treated with humanity and decency. We will continue to protect the constitutional right to peaceably protest, and we denounce any violent conduct that interferes with peaceful protesting. And we will ensure that we can simultaneously protect public safety for our residents and our law enforcement officers.”