The mayor of Newark, Ras Baraka, announced a curfew early Sunday surrounding an immigration detention center in New Jersey due to intense clashes between protesters and police. The curfew near Delaney Hall will be enforced from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. until further notice.
Recent nights witnessed standoffs between law enforcement and demonstrators at the 1,000-bed facility. Protesters have been captured in photos and videos fighting over barricades while police used riot shields to manage the crowds. Social media videos showed police on horseback attempting to disperse groups of protesters.
The demonstrations at Delaney Hall began earlier in the month following reports of a hunger strike by detainees over poor living conditions. This has become a focal point of opposition against the federal government’s immigration policies. On Friday, New Jersey state police replaced federal immigration enforcement agents at the facility after days of confrontation.
In a Sunday morning statement, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill reported that masked individuals attacked a barrier in a designated protest area set up by state police. They were observed throwing projectiles, using barriers as weapons, and igniting tires in the street. Sherrill urged for calm, emphasizing the importance of focusing on better conditions for detainees, their families, and the eventual closure of Delaney Hall.
Additionally, Sherrill mentioned that the federal government has resumed family visits at Delaney Hall, starting Sunday. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security clarified in a statement that visitation was previously suspended due to violent riots, and now that security is ensured, visitations can continue.