Newark’s mayor, Ras Baraka, plans to file a lawsuit on Tuesday seeking the closure of the Delaney Hall immigration detention center. The move follows a series of confrontations over the past 10 days between leftist protesters and law enforcement officers.
Mayor Baraka, aged 56, is taking legal action based on concerns for health and safety, targeting the GEO Group, the organization responsible for operating the 1,000-bed facility in New Jersey, according to reports from NJ.com.
“We must all unite to oppose the injustices perpetrated by the GEO Group and ICE, as well as the suffering of innocent individuals detained at Delaney Hall,” Baraka, a Democrat, expressed to the media outlet.
The announcement of the lawsuit follows the mayor’s decision to implement a nighttime curfew for protesters, effective from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Despite the curfew, demonstrators against ICE continued to rally outside the detention center. Some protesters verbally confronted a Newark councilwoman who appealed for peace, as shown in a video released by Freedom News.
“We appreciate your protest and your presence here,” the councilwoman began, only to be interrupted by the crowd.
“F–k your thanks, go do something!” one woman shouted after pulling down her mask.
Bizarrely, the lawmaker then held hands with an officer to pray.
“Whatever you want to do, do it. God got this whether you like it or not,” the lawmaker said, shouting above the commotion.
The lawmaker was accused of being a “fascist mouthpiece” during the heated confrontation in a second video shared by Freedom News.
Rabble-rousers were also heard chanting “F–k ICE” and “f–k the police” in footage shared by witness John Paredes.
At least 61 arrests were made Monday night, according to NJ1015, and the outlet reported that some anti-ICE demonstrators were bussed in to cause chaos.
During the weekend, masked demonstrators attacked a barrier in a designated protest area set up by state police and were “throwing projectiles, utilizing the barriers as weapons, and lighting tires on fire in the street.”
“These actions put both peaceful protestors and law enforcement in danger,” New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherill said.
Protesters have been camped outside Delaney Hall for more than a week, demonstrating over the conditions detainees are facing.
The Department of Homeland Security has denounced the claims.
“REMINDER: there is NO HUNGER STRIKE at Delaney Hall. There are no subprime conditions,” the agency said.
“ALL detainees are provided with 3 meals a day, clean water, clothing, bedding, showers, soap, toiletries, and opportunities to communicate with their family members and lawyers.
“Aliens are also provided comprehensive healthcare — For many illegal aliens this is the BEST healthcare they have received their entire lives.”
Border czar Tom Homan told Fox News he made a “surprise visit” to the center this weekend and “ate the same meal” that was served to detainees.
With Post wires.
