A few dozen protesters rallied outside the New Jersey statehouse in Trenton on Monday afternoon, carrying handmade signs with messages like 'U made it worse' and 'Gov Sherrill, stop lying about Delaney Hall.' One chant summed up the mood: 'Hey, Mikie, WTF?' The target of their ire is Governor Mikie Sherrill, a newly elected Democrat whom protesters say has failed to address the dire situation at the Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, where at least 300 detainees are on a hunger and labor strike.
State Police Crackdown Sparks Outrage
Over the weekend, Sherrill sent state police to 'lower the temperature' at protests outside the facility, where hundreds had gathered daily in support of detainees striking over poor conditions, including maggot-ridden food and denial of medical care. However, when state police arrived in riot gear and on horseback, tensions escalated. According to protest organizers, dozens were arrested, some hospitalized, and a local news crew was pulled from their vehicle and exposed to teargas. Other journalists were arrested and held for a full day.
Governor's Response Criticized
Sherrill has yet to meet the strikers' demands, the first of which is a meeting with her. ICE denied her access to Delaney Hall early last week, and she says she is still being denied, though she has met with detainees' family members. 'I will continue fighting for accountability, transparency, and better conditions at Delaney Hall,' Sherrill posted on X on Wednesday. Protesters told the Guardian they are upset with Sherrill and her appointed state attorney general, Jennifer Davenport, for sending in state police that brutalized protesters while failing to meet any demands. On top of protesting outside Delaney, demonstrators are rallying at officials' offices, reiterating demands for detainees' release and protection of First Amendment rights.
'It's about as gross a betrayal of these families and her voters as you can get,' said Sameer Khetan, a New Jersey resident who helped lead the Trenton rally.
Defense of State Police Deployment
Defending her deployment of state police, Sherrill blamed 'violence' at the protests on 'people coming from out of state to create chaos and dangerous situations.' While some protesters came from nearby states like New York and Pennsylvania, many Delaney detainees are also from New York, according to Syracuse University research assistant professor Austin Kocher. Advocates condemn the 'outside agitator' rhetoric, saying it distracts from elected officials' responsibility to protect detainees and close Delaney Hall.
On 3 June, hunger and labor strikers in Delaney issued a statement detailing violence within the facility in retaliation for the strike, including pepper-spraying by ICE agents that sent some to the hospital. A Geo Group spokesperson confirmed staff used 'chemical agents' in response to 'a physical altercation involving detainees,' while DHS claimed all affected detainees were promptly evaluated and cleared with no serious injuries.
Pattern of Democratic Officials
Sherrill, a former federal prosecutor and US Congress member, strengthened sanctuary protections upon taking office in January, signaling staunch opposition to ICE operations. But Delaney has tested that promise. She joins a pattern of elected Democrats—like Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker—who criticize ICE operations while presiding over law enforcement forces arresting protesters.
John Mark Rozendaal was playing his cello outside Delaney on Friday night when state police descended in riot gear. Police threw his cello aside and removed his mask, exposing him to teargas. He was arrested. A protester outside Sherrill's office on Monday held a sign with photos of Rozendaal's arrest, captioned 'Mikie Sherrill turning down the temperature.' Multiple protesters hope for Sherrill's recall; at least one progressive group called for her resignation. 'This is not the person I thought I was voting for,' said Neal McGrath at the rally.
Steps Toward Accountability
The hunger-striking detainees and protesters have seen some wins. Visitation is slowly being permitted again, and as of 1 June, all pregnant people inside Delaney Hall have been released. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka announced the city would take over supervision of protests from state police, distancing himself from their conduct. Organizers say the goal of protests—to show support through noise—is now possible again, with 'free speech zone' barricades removed and the city's curfew lifted.
New Jersey elected officials are exploring accountability: On 2 June, Baraka, Sherrill, and Davenport announced lawsuits against Geo Group, citing health concerns and denial of full access to the facility. DHS responded on X: 'This is a frivolous lawsuit. ICE is committed to transparency, and Delaney Hall complies with all required state and local laws.'
Pressure remains on Sherrill. On Wednesday, she told WNYC callers that if state police crossed lines, the state attorney general would investigate. On Thursday, she announced a $12 million increase in funding for the Detention Deportation Defense Initiative and a rapid legal response initiative for emergency immigration defense. However, organizers say their work isn't over as long as detainees are in Delaney. After Baraka lifted the curfew, protesters rushed back to the facility, and those inside could hear chants of 'Free them all.' 'We see them waving to us, making little heart shapes with their hands,' said Rozendaal. 'The people inside are strengthened by our presence.'
