Chaos erupted once again outside Newark’s Delaney Hall Immigration Center on Wednesday, as a group of frustrated protesters confronted federal agents by urging them to point their firearms at the crowd.
Masked demonstrators, dressed in keffiyehs, played drums and hurled offensive slogans at immigration officers stationed outside the New Jersey facility. This marked the sixth consecutive night of disruptive protests, with some alarming scenes captured on footage shared by Freedom News.
Protesters yelled phrases like, “Take the gun and kill yourself” and directed threats at the federal agents, telling them, “Every cop, every feeder, shoot yourself in the head.”
A dramatic video showcased clashes between large groups of protesters and ICE agents. The crowd used bright orange traffic cones and concrete blocks to obstruct access as law enforcement struggled to manage the situation.
Federal agents repeatedly shouted, “Go back!” while trying to push the rioters back, who formed a line to block the road, making it difficult for vehicles to pass. At one point, a frustrated garbage truck driver yelled at the crowd, demanding they allow him through after they obstructed his path.
During Memorial Day weekend, protesters had taken over Delaney Hall, where reports indicated that numerous ICE detainees began hunger and labor strikes, claiming poor conditions within the 1,000-bed center.
It was estimated that around 300 detainees had been on hunger strike since Friday.
Homeland Security Secretary Mark Wayne Mullin downplayed claims of mass dissent, stating that only a “handful” of detainees were refusing food and seeking culturally specific dietary options. He said, “They can go back to their country and get whatever food they want,” during a cabinet meeting led by President Trump.
Mullin emphasized, “We’re giving them the calories they want. This is not a Holiday Inn.” He assured the public that detainees receive three meals daily along with clean water and other essentials.
He further accused protestors of exploiting “New Jersey’s sanctuary politicians” to gain media attention and fundraising opportunities. “This highlights the priorities of the radical left of the Democratic Party when they protest detention centers that house dangerous criminals,” he stated.
The protests have become increasingly confrontational since Friday, particularly as liberal politicians in New Jersey, including Governor Mikie Sherrill, joined the Memorial Day demonstrators.
Two protestors were arrested on Tuesday night for allegedly spraying federal immigration officers with an unknown chemical, while three more were taken into custody on Wednesday night.
Reports suggested that demonstrators had camped outside the center since Thursday morning, pledging to stay until all detainees are released.
