Newark, NJ — A sharp political divide emerged after dozens of protesters were arrested outside Delaney Hall on Sunday night, with New Jersey’s attorney general praising what she described as overwhelmingly peaceful demonstrations while Governor Mikie Sherrill and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka pointed to federal immigration authorities as a key factor behind escalating tensions.
The arrests came during the first full night of enforcement of a new curfew covering a half-mile radius around the immigration detention facility. Demonstrators who remained in the area after the 9 p.m. deadline faced a large law enforcement response that included New Jersey State Police and local officers in riot gear.
According to accounts from the scene, officers detained dozens of people after moving to clear protesters from Doremus Avenue. Some livestreamers and observers estimated as many as 46 arrests, though officials had not released a final arrest count as of Monday.
Shortly before the arrests, ICE agents and police warned ‘fake media’ streamers to leave unless they had press credentials.
“You are not press,” one law enforcement officer pointed at prominent agitators impersonating credentialed journalists.
Attorney General Praises Peaceful Protesters, Defends Arrests
In a statement released late Sunday, New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport thanked protesters who complied with the curfew while defending the arrests of those who remained.
“We are grateful for the many peaceful individuals who exercised their right to protest and complied with the City of Newark’s curfew order tonight,” Davenport said.
The attorney general said people gathered within the curfew zone received multiple warnings in both English and Spanish beginning around 8:15 p.m. to leave the area before the 9 p.m. curfew took effect.
According to Davenport, many protesters complied. However, she said a smaller group refused repeated orders to disperse.
“But a group of individuals who had come to the protest armed with helmets, shields, or gas masks deliberately refused to comply with repeated orders to leave the area and were arrested,” Davenport said. “Their actions put the public at risk, and I am grateful to law enforcement for de-escalating the situation.”
Key Points
• Dozens of protesters were arrested Sunday night after remaining in a newly established curfew zone around Delaney Hall.
• Attorney General Jennifer Davenport praised peaceful demonstrators while defending arrests of those who refused to leave.
• Governor Mikie Sherrill, Mayor Ras Baraka, and Homeland Security officials offered sharply different explanations for the violence and unrest.
Sherrill and Baraka Criticize Federal Response
While state officials defended enforcement of the curfew, Governor Mikie Sherrill suggested federal immigration authorities played a significant role in escalating tensions.
“We’re going to continue making sure people are safe,” Sherrill said. “What seems to be inciting a lot of this is the ICE agents. We’ve seen a lot of peaceful protesting going on.”
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka issued a similar statement criticizing federal tactics.
“I want to condemn ICE’s escalation at Delaney Hall,” Baraka said. “Prior to their arrival, residents had been able to protest peacefully without violence. The use of riot gear, flash bangs, tear gas, and similar tactics against lawfully assembled protesters is wrong and clearly untenable.”
Baraka also urged that such tactics not be replicated by state or local law enforcement agencies.
The comments reflected a growing dispute over what transformed weeks of demonstrations into a confrontation that ultimately resulted in mass arrests.
Homeland Security Takes Opposite View
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security rejected suggestions that federal agents were responsible for the unrest.
In a statement posted Sunday night, DHS said operations at Delaney Hall would continue despite ongoing demonstrations.
“Order will prevail,” the agency said.
“The perimeter around our Delaney Hall facility is FULLY closed — and our ICE operations continue UNDETERRED.”
The department added that anyone who attempts to obstruct or assault law enforcement officers would face arrest and prosecution.
The statement was issued after reports from the scene described protesters blocking law enforcement vehicles and refusing to leave the restricted area after the curfew took effect.
Curfew Marks Turning Point in Protest Response
Sunday represented the first full night of enforcement of the emergency curfew established around Delaney Hall.
The order, implemented by city and state officials, created a restricted zone extending roughly a half-mile from the facility between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Law enforcement officers spent much of the evening issuing warnings before ultimately moving in to disperse the remaining crowd.
Videos circulating online showed officers surrounding groups of demonstrators near a concrete barrier and loading detainees onto an Essex County Sheriff’s Office bus.
Some journalists and legal observers reported being caught within police lines during the operation. Authorities had not publicly addressed those claims as of Monday.
Competing Narratives Emerge
The events outside Delaney Hall have produced two competing explanations for the unrest.
State and federal officials point to individuals who allegedly ignored repeated warnings, remained in the curfew zone, and engaged in conduct that threatened public safety. Davenport specifically cited protesters equipped with helmets, shields, and gas masks who allegedly refused lawful orders to leave.
Meanwhile, Sherrill and Baraka argue the demonstrations were largely peaceful and contend that the presence and tactics of federal immigration authorities contributed to the escalation.
As investigations continue and officials release additional information about the arrests, the debate over who bears responsibility for Sunday’s confrontation remains unresolved. What is clear is that the protests outside Delaney Hall have evolved from routine demonstrations into a major political flashpoint involving local, state, and federal officials.
