Curfew Imposed Following Clashes at Newark Immigration Detention Center

Newark’s mayor has enforced a curfew around an immigration detention center in response to ongoing clashes between protesters and police. The curfew at Delaney Hall will last from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., as announced by Mayor Ras Baraka. This action follows intense confrontations at the facility, where protesters and law enforcement have repeatedly clashed.

Videos on social media reveal police using riot shields and mounted officers to disperse crowds. Demonstrations began after detainees initiated a hunger strike, protesting the poor conditions in the 1,000-bed facility. This incident is part of a larger protest against federal immigration policies.

On Friday, New Jersey state police took over from federal immigration agents who had been managing the protesters for several days. On Sunday, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill reported that some individuals used barriers as weapons and set tires ablaze, endangering everyone involved. She called for calm and a focus on improving conditions for detainees and their families, and ultimately, the closure of Delaney Hall.

Governor Sherrill also announced the reopening of family visitations at Delaney Hall, beginning on Sunday. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security clarified that visitations were earlier suspended due to violent disturbances but have now resumed with a secure perimeter in place.