Sherrill orders 'protest zone' outside Delaney Hall to calm violent clashes
Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) ordered the New Jersey State Police to establish a “protest zone” outside a Newark immigration detention center on Friday in an attempt to prevent violent clashes between anti-ICE protesters and federal officers from breaking out over the weekend.
TL;DR
- Governor Mikie Sherrill ordered the creation of a "protest zone" outside Newark's Delaney Hall immigration detention center.
- The zone is intended to prevent violent clashes between anti-ICE protesters and federal officers.
- New Jersey State Police will monitor the "peaceful, protected" area.
- The move comes after a week of escalating tensions, arrests, and pepper spray incidents at the facility.
- DHS thanked Governor Sherrill for allowing state police cooperation, calling it a "win for law and order."
- Protests began after detainees led a hunger and labor strike over alleged poor conditions, which DHS disputes.
- Attempts by New Jersey Democrats, including Governor Sherrill, to access the facility have been denied.
- A state health inspection was also limited in scope.
- Dueling pro- and anti-ICE demonstrations are expected, with both groups to be granted police-maintained protest zones.
- Governor Sherrill has reiterated her desire to close Delaney Hall, a private facility operated by the GEO Group.