NEW JERSEY – Newark Mayor and New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Ras Baraka has been arrested at New Jersey’s Delaney Hall ICE detention center, where he had been protesting its opening with Democratic members of Congress.
Mayor arrested
What we know:
A spokesperson from Ras Baraka for Governor Campaign confirmed Mayor Baraka had been arrested and detained by ICE.
Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Alina Habba posted that the mayor “committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings from Homeland Security Investigations to remove himself from the ICE detention center,” and that he had been taken into custody.
Delaney’s recent opening
Timeline:
Mayor Baraka had been protesting the opening of Delaney Hall throughout the week – Delaney Hall is an ICE detention center that opened May 1, according to the private prison company that operates the center, GEO Group.
Baraka’s office issued a statement the day the opening of the detainment center was announced: “Delaney Hall cannot lawfully open in Newark at this time.”
He’s argued that the 1,000-bed detention center should not be allowed to open because of building permit issues, according to the Associated Press.
Baraka was attempting to join a scheduled tour of the facility being taken by three of New Jersey’s congressional delegation, Reps. Robert Menendez, LaMonica McIver, and Bonnie Watson Coleman. when he was taken into custody, The Associated Press reports.
Rep. LaMonica McIver says she and Rep. Bonnie Watson-Coleman were assaulted by ICE Officers at Delaney Hall.
“They not only arrested the mayor of Newark but put their hands on two members of Congress.”
The congressmembers are leaving Delaney Hall now and going to where Mayor Baraka is being held.
What they’re saying:
“I am outraged by the unjust arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka earlier this afternoon outside of Delaney Hall in Newark,” New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement.
“Over the past few months, Mayor Baraka, as well as advocates, faith leaders, and members of our Congressional delegation, have protested the opening of a private immigration detention center in the city of Newark,” the statement read.
The Source: This article includes reporting from state, city and local officials, as well as The Associated Press and a tweet from Representative Bonnie Watson-Coleman.
