In Newark, New Jersey, a confrontation occurred between organized rioters and state police on Friday night. The incident arose when the rioters refused to move to a designated ‘First Amendment zone’ as requested by State Police. This led to a direct confrontation near the Delaney Hall ICE facility.
Despite assurances from Governor Mikie Sherrill that law enforcement aimed to protect the rioters from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, tensions escalated. Officers using a PA system requested, ‘For your security, we need you to relocate to the First Amendment zone.’ However, some members of the crowd responded, ‘We will not, I’m expressing my First Amendment right here.’
The standoff, spanning several hours, saw troopers, including those on horseback, employing riot control methods to disperse the group. These included noise bombs, tear gas grenades, pepper spray, and riot shields. Earlier in the day, police erected barriers for the specified zone, which rioters later used against the authorities.
Governor Sherrill commented the following day, ‘My top priority is keeping New Jerseyans safe. An increased ICE presence outside Delaney Hall poses a threat to public safety.’ She expressed concern that lives could be endangered if the situation continued.
New Jersey is recognized as a ‘sanctuary state,’ where collaboration between federal immigration agents and local police is minimal. While Sherrill emphasized the risk posed by ICE, ICE officials expressed appreciation for police support on social media. ICE stated, ‘Thank you, @NJSP for cooperating with us to restore law and order.’
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also acknowledged local law enforcement’s role, saying, ‘Our heroic @ICEgov officers contend with threats and assaults from violent rioters in New Jersey.’ DHS claimed that detainees at the facility receive adequate care and are compensated for work performed on site.
The protest marked its seventh day on Friday night, with demonstrators alleging mistreatment of illegal migrants at the detention center. In response, ICE maintained that those detained mostly committed offenses in the U.S., in addition to being undocumented.
DHS agents, along with state enforcement, took action with pepper balls against the crowd, resulting in smashed vehicles and protesters affected by pepper spray and tear gas.
Counter-protesters and pro-ICE supporters gathered on Saturday morning, prompting an even stronger police presence compared to the previous night.