Ringleader of Delaney Hall Riot Identified
A key figure in the Delaney Hall riot has been revealed to be Cassandra Magagino, a former early childhood educator from New Jersey. This information has come to light amidst ongoing anti-ICE protests outside the Newark federal immigration detention center, which have seen about 300 detainees on hunger strike since May 22, protesting the poor living conditions.
Magagino, who describes themselves as non-binary and identifies as a radical activist living in Pompton Plains, quickly began voicing messages like “free the detainees” and “abolish ICE.” During these protests, she’s been known as “Rainbow Renegade,” a name under which she organized demonstrations over the past two weeks. These events led to a number of altercations with police, injuries among officers, numerous arrests, and the mayor of Newark implementing a 9 p.m. curfew.
“We need more bodies at Delaney Hall!” Magagino urged during one protest on May 28, emphasizing the need for community involvement.
Moreover, she took it upon herself to gather military-style gear for protesters, leveraging her social media to coordinate collections multiple times a day from public libraries and churches throughout New Jersey.
In her outreach, she persistently asked, “Do you have a friend who could spend a few hours tomorrow collecting supplies at the local library? Do you have a friend with a store for collecting supplies?” She reassured supporters about logistics, stating, “I’ll come pick it all up later, so you don’t have to worry about carrying it everywhere.”
Items she sought included face shields, military goggles, gas masks, and other protective gear, indicating a readiness for potential confrontations with law enforcement outside the detention center.
Magagino had been teaching at Kindercare in Whippany since 2017, which is noted as a leader in early childhood education, according to her LinkedIn profile. Back in 2021, she shared a celebratory post about her classroom on Facebook, but she claimed to have been “forced to retire” in 2024.
After departing from her teaching role, she described herself as running a small business, mentioning her confusion when discussing radical activism with her family. KinderCare has confirmed that she left voluntarily but has not disclosed further details.
Following her exit from education, she devoted herself to activism against perceived systemic oppressors, often expressing her feelings toward the current political climate. In January, she provocatively stated, “If I get shot and killed during a protest, please don’t hold a peaceful vigil for me,” exacerbating the urgency of her message.
Recently, she claimed that “ICE Nazis are literally beating innocent people” in Newark, highlighting her extreme views on the situation. The protests have been characterized by significant funding from some of the largest progressive organizations in the country, with documented revenues nearing $825 million.
A confidential document, identified as the “Delaney Hall Creators Brief,” also outlined strategic talking points for activists, suggesting that some protesters refer to the detention facility as a “concentration camp,” echoing Magagino’s rhetoric.
After the media inquiry, Magagino erased her Instagram and the Rainbow Renegade account, leaving questions and controversy lingering over the widespread protests.
