Clashes outside the Newark, NJ immigrant detention facility involved injuries and arrests as ICE agents attacked protesters and photojournalists. The unrest continued into early Friday morning while detainees inside maintained a hunger strike demanding improved living conditions from ICE and the Department of Homeland Security. Instead of addressing the demands, DHS brought additional agents on May 28 to secure the site and confront demonstrators and media. ICE agents used floodlights to partially blind protesters after dark and shone flashlights into the eyes of people blocking transport. Protesters feared hunger-strike participants would be transferred as punishment and faced safety risks. When vehicles left, ICE rushed forward with batons and used military-grade pepper spray, repeating the pattern multiple times through the night.
"Reporters told amNewYork they were deliberately targeted and attacked by ICE agents as clashes with protesters outside of the Newark, NJ, immigrant detention facility resulted in several injuries and arrests. The clashes stretched into the early morning hours of Friday morning amid an ongoing hunger strike inside the center among detainees who demand that ICE and the federal Department of Homeland Security improve living conditions."
"Rather than address those concerns, the DHS instead brought in more agents on May 28 to secure the site and confront both demonstrators and photojournalists documenting the standoff. On Thursday night, ICE agents seemed to change tactics by strategically setting up floodlights to partially blind protesters after dark. They also shone flashlights into the eyes of the crowd waiting and ready to block any transport that might leave."
"When vehicles did leave, chaos erupted. ICE-protester clashes at Delaney Hall grow more volatile with the hour As soon as a car or van emerged from the towering gate of Delaney Hall, ICE rushed forward with batons and began mercilessly beating anyone in their way. Those who remained steadfast and attempted to hold the line were doused with military-grade pepper-spray for their trouble."
"One agent could be seen holding a can of spray in each hand as those on the receiving end tried to use umbrellas to block the substance. After the vehicles left the facility, the ICE agents retreated to a ready position. The scene would be repeated multiple times through the night, the clashes becoming more violent and volatile each time. When night fell, ICE shone flashlights into the eyes of the crowd waiting and ready to block any transport that might leave."
Read at www.amny.com
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