Friday night saw renewed turmoil outside the Delaney Hall detention center as skirmishes erupted between anti-ICE demonstrators and agents. This occurred despite efforts by New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill to create a “peaceful” protest zone.
The demonstrators, undeterred by police warnings to disperse or risk arrest, persisted with their intense chants. Law enforcement resorted to using tear gas and pepper spray to manage the agitated crowd, as captured in footage from the scene.
At one point, protesters shouted, “Kill yourself, quit your job, quit your job,” expressing their disdain.
Chants of “F—k ICE” echoed through the crowd.
In an attempt to regain control, officers on horseback were deployed to push the demonstrators away from the Newark facility. Meanwhile, other officers in full riot gear held their ground, forming a defensive line, as depicted in the video.
The situation escalated when demonstrators breached an orange protective barrier surrounding the facility, dragging it aside and continuing their trespass onto restricted areas.
Sherrill had announced Friday afternoon that the âpeacefulâ protest zones would be established âimmediatelyâ and that âwe all need to do everything we can to cool things down now.â
The governor claimed that she will not give ICE âthe pretext to expand operationsâ in New Jersey.
âOur top priority is public safety â and we need to take this opportunity to lower the temperature now,â she added.
The protests erupted over Memorial Day weekend after detainees reported inhumane conditions, including extreme overcrowding, low-quality food and limited access to hot water.
The Trump administration has countered that the standard of living at Delaney Hall is higher than most US prisons.
