Protest Escalates Outside Delaney Hall in Newark
Newark, New Jersey – Tensions flared late Wednesday outside the Delaney Hall detention center, with the usual law enforcement presence notably absent. In their place, protesters took charge while ICE agents used pepper spray as federal vehicles arrived, causing disorder in the crowd.
Mayor Ras Baraka, who previously lost the 2025 Democratic gubernatorial primary to Gov. Mikie Sherrill, faced arrest during a similar protest last year. He has been outspoken about wanting state and federal authorities to close the facility.
When reporters returned to the site Wednesday night, hundreds had gathered at the vehicle entrance of Delaney Hall. Another entryway, which had been accessed by Manhattan Democratic Reps. Jerrold Nadler, Daniel Goldman, and Adriano Espaillat, was set up with a medical tent and an apparent concession stand for protesters.
Doremus Avenue, littered with trash, was reduced to one lane as protesters—dressed as fire police—took on traffic directing duties typically handled by Newark police or the Essex County Sheriff’s Office.
By 9 p.m., the southbound lanes of Doremus Street were completely blocked. “Demonstration police” in reflective vests managed traffic, including large vehicles. At one point, an Essex County Sheriff’s deputy swiftly moved through the area, instructing protesters to clear the roadway, but his words went unheeded.
Some individuals among the protesters diverged from the main group, quietly picking up trash along the main route where freight trains travel.
As an unmarked transport vehicle approached Delaney Hall with flashing lights, demonstrators moved closer to the entry, while some emerged from the direction of the freight lines with large items in hand. There were calls for “goggles and tape,” hinting at the chaos that would follow.
Demonstrators pushed various objects—like mattresses, orange highway bollards, tree branches, and sandbags—toward the entrance, with ICE agents urging the crowd to disperse, though to no avail. When an NJ Transit bus bound for Irvington got momentarily stuck, officials resorted to pepper spray to manage the situation around it.
Once the bus managed to pass, the distinct sounds of tear gas or pepper spray canisters punctuated the air, adding to the chaos. Yet, during this tumult, no Newark police vehicles could be seen trying to control the disturbance.
Meanwhile, back in downtown Newark, police cruisers and officers were stationed near the Prudential Center as concertgoers exited—far removed from the unrest at Delaney Hall. Baraka had consolidated Newark’s police and emergency services under his control in 2015, arguing that it would improve public safety.
When approached for comment regarding the absence of police outside Delaney Hall, Baraka did not respond. Earlier in March, he described “sanctuary cities” like Newark as “America’s new Thin Blue Line,” possibly explaining the lack of police intervention during the protests.
He asserts that cities like Newark are working to protect the constitutional rights of residents against what he sees as intrusive actions by ICE. Instead of offering police assistance, Baraka highlighted an executive order requiring city employees to report any abusive ICE activity and restricting police cooperation in immigration enforcement without proper legal justification.
Fox News Digital reached out to both Newark police and the Essex County Sheriff’s office for comments regarding enforcement responsibilities, but feedback was not available regarding police presence at the scene. Baraka has publicly denounced GEO Group, which operates Delaney Hall, for failing to adhere to city regulations, characterizing poor conditions and inadequate medical care within the facility.
At a separate press event, Nadler and Goldman reported that inmates claimed they were only provided Tylenol when they fell ill. Baraka has called for immediate investigations into Delaney Hall’s operations and similarly expressed concerns during a visit on Tuesday. He stressed the need to uphold the rule of law and safeguard vulnerable individuals’ rights.
