"There is no other way to call it than state repression of freedom of speech"
Demonstrators gather outside Newark’s Delaney Hall Detention Facility for a sixth consecutive day as detainees inside continue hunger strike over alleged living conditions.
Over the past six days, chaotic protests have erupted outside the Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark. The demonstrations come as detainees have launched a hunger strike in response to reported inhumane conditions inside the center. Migrants being held at the facility, which houses hundreds of detainees, have described harsh conditions to their families including rotten food, inadequate medical care, and deteriorating living conditions.
Following complaints raised by families of detained migrants, dozens of protesters have gathered outside the facility carrying signs and setting up tents to demonstrate against conditions inside the center and federal immigration enforcement policies. The ongoing protests have contributed to heightened tensions between demonstrators and ICE personnel, creating an increasingly explosive atmosphere outside the facility.
Wednesday evening was particularly volatile.
An anonymous source who had been protesting from yesterday evening into the early hours of this morning told Noosphere that protesters stood in the parking lot last night with linked arms, carrying no weapons and displaying no violence or aggression. According to the source, the demonstration was intended as a symbolic protest against conditions inside the facility.
ICE and federal agents were seen carrying and using a variety of crowd-control weapons, including pepper spray, aerosol spray, tear gas, wooden and metal batons.
“There were a few agents in particular who were very ‘Gung ho’ about wanting to crack some heads,” the source said.
The source alleged that several protesters sustained serious injuries during the confrontation.
“Several of my friends had their heads busted with big open bleeding wounds. I got bashed on both shoulders which was very small in comparison with what others had to deal with,” they added.
“I would say they were specifically targeting heads, the backs of necks, and particular joints on people,” the source said. “...there is no other way to call it than state repression of freedom of speech, we are living under fascism.”
Many of the protesters remained outside the facility overnight, sitting in chairs near the entrance gates and continuing demonstrations into the early morning hours. As white transportation vans would drive in and out of the facility chants of anti ice slogans including calls for agents to resign from their positions rippled.
Other anonymous sources told Noosphere that a variety of weaponry from ICE and federal agents were used against protestors including pepper spray, metal batons, and wooden batons.
Tents have been surrounding the property, including a “Radical Hospitality Zone,” run by volunteers from different organizations, which is intended to support families with relatives inside the facility. Additional tents have been organized to provide medical care for injured protesters and distribute supplies such as goggles, face masks, and water.
Organizers said more groups will be coming to Delaney Hall today, some even from Maryland, to continue protesting against the conditions inside the facility and the treatment of those outside.
This story is developing.
