Delaney Hall protests continue as ICE supporters, opponents hold dueling rallies Saturday

Protests outside Delaney Hall, a federal immigration detention center in New Jersey, are continuing Saturday after tensions rose Friday between anti-ICE demonstrators and police in riot gear.

New barriers were installed around the ICE facility in Newark this morning before dueling rallies got started between ICE supporters and opponents, who first launched protests alleging horrible conditions inside Delaney Hall over a week ago.

Republican leaders announced Saturday's rally in support of ICE and opponents planned counter-protests.  

Democratic lawmakers have been joining demonstrations claiming detainees are not getting proper food or medical care, which the Department of Homeland Security denies. The protests have led to some violent clashes with ICE officers, who have deployed pepper spray to disburse the crowds.   

What happened outside Delaney Hall

New Jersey State Police in full riot gear clashed with protesters who were equipped with gas masks and goggles late Friday night. The protesters were given 15 minutes to move to the designated protest zone established outside Delaney Hall or risk arrest, but police said the crowd did not move and several people were arrested. 

Gov. Mikie Sherrill ordered authorities to establish the protected protest zone on Friday. NJ State Police said the zone would allow protests to continue safely and keep a clear path for vehicles at Delaney Hall's main gate. 

This is the timeline of events before protesters started clashing with officers, according to state police: 

• At approximately 6:01 p.m., state troopers started constructing the designated protest area in coordination with the Newark Department of Public Works. 
• By 7:15 p.m., barriers were in place and troopers used a public address system and direct communication to instruct protesters to relocate to the designated area. 
• At approximately 9:39 p.m., the State Police Public Safety Response Team gave protesters the first of three dispersal orders. 

State police said the crowd did not move after the third order, and that "some individuals began dangerous actions," leading to six arrests for charges including disorderly conduct, endangering another person and obstruction of justice. 

Sherrill urges protesters to stay peaceful

Gov. Mikie Sherrill said it was necessary for state police to step in after she previously called on ICE and the protesters to de-escalate the situation and "lower the temperature now."   

"My top priority is keeping New Jerseyans and our communities safe – and an increased ICE surge in the area outside of Delaney Hall is a threat to public safety. We know that lives would be at risk were that to happen. And I will not accept that risk. That is why last night, the New Jersey State Police Public Safety Response Team acted to secure the area outside of Delaney Hall. This was absolutely necessary to protect public safety, and avoid escalation from ICE. As Americans, we have a right to protest — and we will continue to ensure New Jersey residents can peacefully exercise their First Amendment rights," Sherrill said Saturday in a statement. 

"Today and going forward, I urge everyone who is protesting to do so peacefully in the safe areas, and work together to bring the temperature down. We need to focus on advocating for better conditions for the detainees, for their families, and ultimately, for the closure of Delaney Hall," the governor's statement continued.

Hunger strike allegations

Organized protest groups claim Delaney Hall detainees are on hunger and labor strikes due to poor conditions and treatment inside the ICE facility. 

Homeland Security denies those allegations and claims detainees are getting three meals a day and access to comprehensive medical care. 

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said health inspectors were allowed inside the facility on Thursday, but details on what they found were not released. Gov. Sherrill said inspectors sent by her office were not allowed inside.