Leading New Jersey Democratic governor candidate arrested at ICE protest
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, a top Democratic gubernatorial candidate in New Jersey, made headlines on Friday after being arrested for trespassing at an ICE holding facility in Newark during a protest. The incident, which took place at the Delaney Hall ICE detention center, has sparked controversy and criticism from various officials.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) labeled the incident as a “beyond bizarre political stunt” that “puts the safety of our law enforcement agents and the detainees at risk.” The prison currently houses alleged killers, MS-13 gang members, and accused child rapists, among other criminal offenders. U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba announced Baraka’s arrest, stating that he committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings from Homeland Security Investigations.
Baraka, a leading Democratic candidate for New Jersey governor, was taken into custody after refusing to leave the ICE detention center. His arrest has been met with mixed reactions from fellow politicians and candidates. Reps. Rob Menendez Jr., Bonnie Watson Coleman, and LaMonica McIver, all New Jersey Democrats, were also involved in the incident and attempted to enter the facility for an “oversight visit.”
Baraka has been a vocal critic of the facility’s operations and has been protesting its opening for months. He believes that using Delaney Hall for processing individuals in the country illegally goes against state and local laws. The city of Newark filed a lawsuit against the facility in March, challenging its legality.
In a press conference following his arrest, Baraka accused GEO Group, the private company running the prison, of disregarding state and constitutional laws, likening their actions to those of the president of the United States. He has been a consistent presence at protests outside the facility throughout the week.
Several politicians have condemned Baraka’s arrest, including New Jersey Sen. Jon Bramnick, a GOP gubernatorial candidate, who expressed understanding of the mayor’s frustrations with ICE taking over Delaney Hall. Democratic candidates for governor, Mikie Sherrill and Steven Fulop, also criticized the arrest, calling it an outrage and a dangerous precedent.
On the other hand, GOP candidate Jack Ciattarelli labeled Baraka’s actions as a “cheap publicity stunt,” pointing out the pressing issues facing Newark, such as airport meltdowns, failing public schools, and rising crime rates.
The arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has sparked a heated debate among politicians and candidates in New Jersey. As the gubernatorial race continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact Baraka’s campaign and the larger political landscape in the state.
