Curfew Imposed Around New Jersey Immigration Center Following Clashes

New York, May 31 (CNA) - The Mayor of Newark, New Jersey, announced today that a curfew has been imposed around an immigration detention center in the city following renewed clashes between protesters opposing President Trump's immigration policies and the police. AFP reported that Newark Mayor Ras Baraka stated in a declaration: "To ensure the safety and well-being of all residents, a mandatory curfew is in effect immediately within a half-mile radius of the Delaney Hall Detention Facility." Baraka stated that the facility, operated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), will be closed to entry from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM until further notice. The detention center is operated by a private prison contractor and has a capacity of 1,000 beds. The facility has been the focus of protests for days, and authorities made this decision after several nights of escalating tension. Following a largely peaceful demonstration yesterday, some protesters, including counter-protesters supporting ICE, attempted to breach police barricades, prompting police to deploy tear gas. Democratic New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill condemned the violence. She stated on X: "I don't know why these people are attacking, I don't know what their goal is, but I will not tolerate these dangerous actions undermining New Jersey's commitment to public safety." Authorities transferred security responsibility from ICE to the State Police on the 29th and established designated protest zones in an attempt to ease tensions. However, these measures failed to prevent further clashes at night. The protests were sparked by detainees who, dissatisfied with living conditions, initiated hunger strikes and work stoppages. The actions have received support from several Democratic lawmakers.