Watson Coleman Questions ICE’s Footage of Mayor’s Arrest

Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) expressed on CNN’s “newsroom” on Saturday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) may have utilized “manufactured” footage to depict law enforcement agents being assaulted during Newark Mayor Ras Baraka’s arrest at Delaney Hall Detention Center last week.

“We were there for a tour. ICE was giving us the run-around. Eventually, we gained entry to the facility, heard some noise, and when we came out, we found the mayor having a conversation with them,” stated Watson Coleman.

Host Fredrika Whitfield noted, “So your interpretation of events differs quite a bit from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson who also appeared on CNN. She referred to it as body slamming and claimed other Congress members were violent with ICE officials.”

Watson Coleman responded, “How absurd is that? There’s a 200-pound man, and they’re equipped with about 35 pounds of gear, including a gun. I have my own thoughts about what they’re suggesting.”

Whitfield then mentioned, “A DHS spokesperson previously stated that a body cam video, set to be released soon, would reveal the intensity of the confrontation involving the mayor and others. However, this video, according to you, doesn’t seem to show that.”

Watson Coleman asserted, “No, if there’s any footage showcasing such behavior, then it was likely staged for this purpose. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again; they are not telling the truth.”