Another night of unrest unfolded outside the Delaney Hall detention center in Newark as protesters and federal immigration authorities clashed despite a push by New Jersey officials to reduce tensions around the facility.
According to the New York Post, demonstrators gathered Friday evening outside the detention center, where confrontations with law enforcement escalated as the night progressed.
Video from the scene showed protesters shouting insults and profanity at immigration officers while ignoring repeated warnings from police to leave the area.
At one point, members of the crowd chanted, “Kill yourself, quit your job, quit your job.”
Others repeatedly shouted, “F**k ICE.”
Law enforcement officers responded as the crowd grew increasingly unruly.
Footage showed officers wearing riot gear and carrying shields forming a line outside the facility while mounted officers attempted to move demonstrators away from the area.
Authorities also deployed tear gas and pepper spray as officers worked to regain control of the situation and disperse the crowd.
The confrontation came only hours after New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill announced a plan aimed at preventing further escalation.
Earlier Friday, Sherrill said designated protest areas would be established outside the detention center and would take effect immediately.
The governor described the zones as spaces for “peaceful” demonstrations and urged all sides to avoid further conflict.
“We all need to do everything we can to cool things down now,” Sherrill said.
She also emphasized public safety concerns while calling for a reduction in tensions surrounding the ongoing protests.
“Our top priority is public safety – and we need to take this opportunity to lower the temperature now,” she said.
Sherrill further argued that New Jersey should not provide Immigration and Customs Enforcement with what she described as a justification to increase operations in the state.
Some protesters were seen dragging sections of the barrier away from their original positions and continuing onto restricted property near the facility.
The demonstrations at Delaney Hall began over Memorial Day weekend after detainees reportedly complained about conditions inside the center.
Among the allegations raised were claims of overcrowding, poor-quality food, and limited access to hot water.
The Trump administration has disputed those accusations.
Federal officials have argued that living conditions at Delaney Hall exceed those found in many prisons across the United States.
