Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, a Democratic candidate for governor, was arrested Friday outside the Delaney Hall immigrant detention facility in what he and supporters have described as a politically motivated escalation by federal authorities.
Baraka had joined U.S. Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez and LaMonica McIver for what was intended to be a congressional oversight inspection of the facility, operated by private prison contractor GEO Group. The lawmakers were eventually granted access inside the building, but Baraka, who had been permitted through the gates, was not allowed into the structure itself.
Watson Coleman, whose district includes parts of Mercer County, described the incident as a shocking abuse of power.
“If they can do what they did to Mayor Baraka, and what they did to the three of us—LaMonica, Rob, and me—then they can do it to anybody. And they are doing it to anybody and everybody,” Watson Coleman said during a live interview on MSNBC. She said ICE officers were physically aggressive, failed to answer questions, and made no effort to de-escalate. “They cuffed the mayor. It was disgusting to watch.”
Baraka was charged with federal trespassing, a Class C misdemeanor. He was released from custody Friday evening and later told CNN that he had not violated any laws.
“I didn’t go there to break any laws. I didn’t break any laws,” Baraka said. “I was there as the mayor of the city, exercising my right and duty as an elected official.”
Speaking later that evening on CNN, Baraka said that the Homeland Security officers who detained him were respectful. “They treated me with dignity, and I appreciate that,” he said, adding that while the experience was uncomfortable and humiliating, those officers did their best to make him feel comfortable.
Baraka explained that he had accompanied a city fire inspector earlier in the day as part of ongoing efforts to serve inspection notices related to the facility’s certificate of occupancy—a matter currently in litigation. The city contends GEO Group must obtain a new CO before reopening Delaney Hall as an immigration detention center. GEO has maintained that its existing certificate remains valid.
Watson Coleman and her colleagues said they were attempting a routine inspection of conditions inside Delaney Hall, including whether detainees had access to attorneys and basic services. Watson Coleman also blasted DHS for issuing a statement that misrepresented the event.
“Contrary to a press statement put out by DHS, we did not ‘storm’ the detention center,” she said in a statement. “We were exercising our legal oversight function as we have done at the Elizabeth Detention Center without incident.”
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin also denounced the arrest, noting that no state or local law enforcement were involved. “Arresting public officials for peacefully protesting violates the most basic principles of our democracy,” Platkin said.
Political reactions were swift and divided. Democratic officials including Gov. Phil Murphy, U.S. Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim, and all five of Baraka’s Democratic primary opponents condemned the arrest and called for his release.
“This incident is disturbing, unnecessary and indicative of tactics that are undermining the safety and security of our communities,” Booker said.
“Mayor Baraka is an exemplary public servant who has always stood up for our most vulnerable neighbors,” Murphy added.
Republican gubernatorial candidates Jack Ciattarelli and Bill Spadea defended the arrest, accusing Baraka of political grandstanding.
“Ras Baraka should be embarrassed by his behavior,” Spadea wrote on social media. “All of the other candidates should join me in condemning Ras Baraka and stand in solidarity with ICE.”
Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, a Trump appointee, issued a statement accusing Baraka of ignoring multiple warnings and declaring, “No one is above the law.”
Baraka rejected that characterization. “Nobody ever told me to move,” he said. “They targeted me and came after me specifically.”
Despite the arrest, Baraka told CNN he had no regrets. “I would do it again,” he said. “They still have to abide by the law.”
