On Tuesday, Immigration and Homeland Security agents wrongfully arrested Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. He was demonstrating across the street from the new ICE detention center, Delaney Hall. New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez and activist Rev. Al Sharpton were among those who helped spearhead the protest. They spoke out amid fears over the lack of transparency all around the detainees at the private facility.
Baraka, formerly the deputy mayor of Newark, was arrested at another Newark location and summoned for trespassing. Outrageously, after about five hours in custody, he was released. Even after his arrest, Baraka is defiant, insisting that he “didn’t do anything wrong” and standing by his position. He pointed to the federal government’s lack of transparency as a key factor in understanding who we’re detaining. He alleged that they were in violation of all sorts of local laws.
The action underscored the bitter divisions that exist today between local elected leaders and Washington’s hard-line enforcement immigration agenda. Baraka took to Twitter to air some of these frustrations, including, “They’re not complying with local laws. He even, rightly, criticized the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for their botched management of the entire ordeal. He noted that DHS treated the protestors “just like a regular case,” indicating a lack of urgency or concern for the local community’s inquiries.
In addition, witnesses observed Baraka pass through the facility’s entry gates several times throughout the demonstration. He was eventually arrested in the area outside. He communicated with Rev. Al Sharpton during his time at the protest, reiterating that he had exited the gates multiple times, which contributed to his eventual apprehension by law enforcement.
Baraka promised unequivocally that Newark City would continue to oppose the private firm operating Delaney Hall. The past week’s happenings will not underscore or deter their determined legal battle. This ongoing fight reflects a broader movement within the community to challenge federal immigration practices and demand accountability for the treatment of detainees.