Ras Baraka appears in court after ICE facility arrest, claims he was ‘targeted’

Mayor Ras Baraka, a Democratic candidate for governor in New Jersey, made an appearance in federal court on Thursday for a status conference following his arrest at an ICE facility last week on a trespassing charge. In a statement to reporters after his court date, Baraka expressed his belief that he was targeted in the arrest, emphasizing that he was the only person detained and that he felt humiliated by the process.

Baraka’s defense team disputed the arrest and declined to accept a plea deal, arguing that the government had not provided sufficient evidence to justify his lawful arrest. The defense had hoped for a trial by late July, but the judge indicated that more time was needed to establish a trial schedule due to aggressive discovery.

Both the prosecution and defense will submit a schedule for the court’s consideration, with the defense requesting all exculpatory evidence by May 19 and discovery by May 22. The trespassing charge against Baraka, classified as a class C misdemeanor, carries a maximum sentence of 30 days in prison.

Outside the federal court building, protesters gathered to show support for Baraka and denounce ICE’s actions in Newark. Viri Martinez, a member of the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, described Newark as an “epicenter for ICE’s terror and overreach,” highlighting the significance of the protest at Delaney Hall attended by three members of Congress.

Baraka, along with the congressional lawmakers, was arrested after allegedly rushing through the gates of the ICE facility during a protest. The officials had been demanding access to the privately run detention center, which was recently converted into an immigration detention facility.

Despite the arrest and subsequent processing, Baraka remained steadfast in his conviction that he had not violated any laws and had stood up for the Constitution and laws of New Jersey. He emphasized the importance of upholding the rights of the people and defending local laws.

In response to the arrests, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba accused Baraka of trespassing and ignoring warnings from Homeland Security Investigations. Protesters outside the courtroom expressed their disapproval of the arrest, shouting “Shame, shame, shame” at the attorney.

House Republicans issued warnings of potential disciplinary actions against the three Democratic members of Congress who had joined Baraka at the protest. Speaker Mike Johnson highlighted the possible consequences for Reps. Robert Menendez, LaMonica McIver, and Bonnie Watson Coleman.

As the legal proceedings continue, Baraka and his supporters remain resolute in their commitment to advocating for immigrant rights and holding authorities accountable for their actions. The case has garnered significant attention and sparked a debate on the role of local officials in confronting federal immigration policies.