Protesters and federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents clashed at a detention facility in Newark, N.J., on Monday following days of steadily escalation tensions over conditions inside the privately run building. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo
May 25 (UPI) -- Protests at a federal immigration detention center in Newark, N.J., escalated over the Memorial Day weekend as local Democratic officials, including New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill, voiced support for detainees who say they're on a hunger strike.
Protesters led by the pregnant wife of a man held at Delaney Hall by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents began gathering outside the privately run facility on Friday, then grew in number as the weekend progressed before clashing with ICE agents early Monday morning.
Video obtained by WCBS-TV showed ICE agents wielding batons and pepper spray wading into a group of angry protesters.
Witnesses told the online publication The City the incident happened as agents prepared to transfer the husband of Gabriela Soto -- who has been leading the weekend protests -- out of the facility in van and protesters attempted to block its exit.
