Resistencia en Accion NJ: ICE Escalates Against, Assaults Hunger Strike Supporters at Delaney Hall

Newark, NJ — Since approximately 300 detainees at the Delaney Hall detention center launched a hunger strike Friday, May 22, protesters have gathered outside the facility to monitor the situation and show support for participants inside.

On the evening of May 24, immigrant rights organizations across the state raised alarm after Gabriela Soto, a volunteer with Eyes on ICE, reported retaliatory action by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement against her husband, Martin Soto.

“Agents told him he would be freed, but I saw them forcing him into a van,” Soto said. “They were shoving him inside while he shouted for help. We need people to come and shut this center down. He could be taken away at any moment.”

Soto also said her husband told her that immigration agents questioned him about the protests and asked whether demonstrations outside the facility would stop if he were released.

In response, community members assembled outside the detention center and attempted to peacefully block entrances to prevent the transfer of detainees, including Soto. Several vehicles were prevented from leaving the facility.

At approximately 1:25 a.m. on Monday, May 25, ICE agents blocked off the portion of Doremus Avenue in front of the center and used pepper spray and batons against protesters before removing barricades with assistance from Newark police, according to demonstrators.

Protest activity is expected to continue into Monday, with organizers calling on New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill to visit the site and support demands for the permanent closure of Delaney Hall.

“We need Governor Sherrill here,” said Asma Elhuni, organizer with Resistencia en Accion NJ. “Public statements are not enough. She needs to see the hunger strikers, hear about the conditions they face and listen to our demands to free them all.”

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