Unrest in Newark: Anti-ICE Protests Surge with Financial Support
Protests against ICE have intensified in Newark, particularly outside the Delaney Hall Detention Center. Activists are actively raising funds to acquire protective equipment for demonstrators, leading to some criticisms about the well-organized nature of their efforts.
A fundraising list reveals that donations are being used to purchase items like “helmets,” “knee/wrist/shin/arm guards,” and military-grade goggles aimed at ensuring safety for the protesters. The group behind this initiative, the 50501 Movement, is known for its leftist activism and previously organized the No Kings anti-Trump rally.
Among the requested gear are MIL-PRF-32432 shatterproof goggles, which are designed to meet military specifications, providing protection against projectiles commonly found in conflict situations.
According to the movement’s organizers, these supplies are critical in the ongoing battle against what they refer to as the “ICE Gestapo.” The 50501 Movement was established last year as part of a national push for protests in all states on the same day.
Significant amounts of money have also gone toward other items like wheelchairs, P100 masks to resist oils, decontamination wipes for irritants, and gloves to handle incoming tear gas canisters.
Jenny Garcia, the communications coordinator for the Detention Watch Network, which opposes the detention of undocumented immigrants, has been central to coordinating these donation efforts. She noted that recent demonstrations have highlighted the detainees’ voices, despite their confinement.
However, Garcia’s fundraising has prompted concerns about whether these protests are genuinely grassroots initiatives or well-funded operations, especially after President Trump labeled the demonstrations as “fake” and insinuated they are backed by Democrats.
On Friday, a man was charged for allegedly assaulting a federal officer during one of the protests. Brendan John Guyer, 26, faces accusations of “kicking and biting” an ICE officer, resulting in severe injuries.
As protests continued into Saturday, tensions flared, with incidents where demonstrators called for extreme actions against law enforcement. Police responded by deploying tear gas and pepper spray to manage the volatile situation.
