Newark mayor to unveil plan on shutting down Delaney Hall after anti-ICE protests continue

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka is expected to announce the city's legal strategy aimed at shutting down Delaney Hall on Tuesday.

The ICE detention facility has been at the center of ongoing protests, which have resulted in violent clashes, curfews and dozens of arrests.

Monday was largely calm outside Delaney Hall in Newark after chaos unfolded over the weekend. As the curfew went into effect at 9 p.m., protesters were corralled behind a gate, some wearing gas masks, and remained mostly peaceful.

The same protesters cheered earlier when fellow demonstrators walked out of the restricted area. Ashley Batz says just after curfew on Sunday she and many others were taken into custody by New Jersey State Police.

"Many of us were detained with our hands up," Batz said. "They were violent through and through. They took me and they dropped me on the cement floor. They came with their horses. They came in with their riot gear and we were doing nothing."

She said she was held for about 20 hours in a crowded cell and was charged with rioting past curfew.

Baraka will share his plan at 9 a.m. He is also expected to outline an updated police response. 

"I think our First Amendment [rights are] being violated"

Protesters out on Monday claimed detainees are being held in inhumane conditions, and called the 9 p.m.- 6 a.m. curfew for the half-mile buffer zone around Delaney Hall by Baraka a violation of their rights.

"I think our First Amendment [rights are] being violated," protester Carolyn Rush said.

Baraka released a statement Monday, writing, in part, that the Newark Police Department will exercise a greater span of control of the Delaney Hall area, and called police tactics over the weekend "overly aggressive, unnecessary, and in some instances unconstitutional."

In response, the New Jersey State Fraternal Order of Police released a statement, calling the move a serious concern.

"Scaling back law enforcement resources during active and evolving demonstrations may jeopardize officer and civilian safety," it wrote.  

DHS Secretary Mullin speaks out

State police on Sunday night dispersed crowds as part of the curfew. The Department of Homeland Security and state police didn't immediately confirm how many people were arrested, but the group Climate Revolution Action Network, also known as CRAN, says at least 60 protestors were arrested Sunday night during violent clashes, adding some were hit with rubber bullets.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin released the following statement:

"When you're threatening the lives of an officer, that's verbal assault. When you threaten the lives of their family, that's verbal assault. When you spit on an officer, when you put hands on an officer, when you touch our vehicles, that is assaulting federal property and assaulting a federal officer, and we have zero tolerance. We will arrest you," Mullin said.

CRAN said in a statement, "This is a reprehensible use of state resources and a huge distraction from what's happening inside Delaney Hall. We should be working together to meet the demands of the hunger strikers."

Gaby Soto said her husband, Martin, was participating in the hunger strike until U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement moved him last week.

"They teargassed everyone in the facility. Unit two have been on lock down. They have not been given food," Soto said.

Charlotte Kreutz said she's been helping families of detainees for months in a hospitality tent outside.

"I just want to be here if they finally let us in so that we can visit the people in Delaney Hall. Only three people got in on Sunday, three family members, and there's, you know, hundreds of people in here that aren't able to talk to anybody," Kreutz said. 

"Play stupid games, win stupid prizes"

DHS has repeatedly denied conditions inside Delaney Hall are substandard, and says detainees are provided three meals a day, clean water, clothing and bedding.

The White House posted on social media Monday, saying in part "ICE operations will NOT be deterred. Riot, obstruct, or assault an officer and you will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes."

At least two people showed up Monday to support law enforcement.

"I don't like seeing the abuse that ICE agents are receiving. I don't like seeing insanity in the state of New Jersey," one said.