BALTIMORE, Md. — Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott issued a statement Friday denouncing the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka during a protest outside an immigration detention facility in Newark, New Jersey.
Mayor Baraka was arrested earlier in the day while participating in a demonstration opposing the use of private immigration detention centers—facilities barred under New Jersey state law but still operational under federal oversight.
Federal authorities arrested Baraka after he and a mob stormed the front gate of the facility, forcing access and attacking federal agents, shoving their way through the main gate.
“I’ve known my brother, Mayor Ras Baraka, to be an impeccable public servant who continually fights for his city and the values that we all hold dear,” Scott said. “His shocking arrest… is a blatant attempt to intimidate those willing to stand up for their communities against the unjust and potentially illegal actions of the Trump Administration.”
Scott joined other public officials—including the New Jersey Governor and members of Congress—in calling for Baraka’s immediate release. The arrest has prompted sharp criticism from leaders who say it reflects growing tensions over state-federal conflicts in immigration enforcement.
Baraka’s arrest has drawn national attention, with advocates saying it raises serious questions about the treatment of public officials engaging in peaceful protest.
Key points
- Mayor Ras Baraka arrested during protest outside Newark immigration facility
- Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott calls arrest “a blatant attempt to intimidate”
- Scott joins other leaders in demanding Baraka’s immediate release
Arrest highlights tension over immigration detention in New Jersey
Mayor Scott accused the Trump Administration of overstepping its authority and eroding public trust, stating, “Each overstep from this administration damages the fabric of our country’s values.”
Mayor Scott concluded his statement with a message of solidarity: “We will not be intimidated. I stand with my fellow mayor in his fight to protect his community.”
