In Newark, New Jersey, a protest outside the Delaney Hall detention center resulted in the arrest of six individuals. The demonstrators, who have been gathering for days, claim that detainees inside are on a hunger strike due to poor living conditions. The protest escalated on Wednesday night as groups of demonstrators formed a human chain and used makeshift barricades to confront U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.

Protest Details

Many protesters wore gas masks and face coverings, chanting slogans at the officers. Some used trash cans, mattresses, and umbrellas as shields, while others attempted to block access to the facility by throwing objects like traffic cones at the officers. The ICE officers, equipped with helmets and tactical vests, responded with pepper spray and batons to disperse the crowd and clear the roadway for vehicles.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, confirmed that six demonstrators were arrested for assaulting law enforcement officers. The agency emphasized that such actions are criminal offenses and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Political Oversight and Facility Conditions

Earlier in the day, Democratic members of Congress from New York City, including Reps. Jerry Nadler, Daniel Goldman, and Adriano Espaillat, visited the facility as part of an oversight tour. They reported dire conditions, citing issues such as detainees receiving small portions of spoiled food and inadequate medical care. However, DHS spokespersons have denied these allegations, dismissing them as political posturing and asserting that there is no hunger strike or abuse occurring within the center.

The detention center, operated by a private prison company, is located along an industrial area of Newark Bay. The ongoing protests highlight the tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and detainee treatment in the United States.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.