Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Democratic Candidate, Arrested at ICE Facility Amid Protests

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested by federal authorities at the Delaney Hall ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey, after he refused to leave the facility. The arrest occurred during a protest involving Baraka and three Democratic members of Congress, Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman, LaMonica McIver, and Rob Menendez, who were conducting oversight at the facility. Baraka, a Democratic candidate for New Jersey governor, was charged with trespassing, a misdemeanor, and was released after approximately 5 hours in custody. The incident sparked significant backlash from political figures and community leaders. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy demanded Baraka's immediate release, describing the arrest as unjust. Several lawmakers, including Senators Cory Booker and Chuck Schumer, and Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman, LaMonica McIver, and Rob Menendez, condemned the arrest and the treatment of the congressional delegation, who reported being manhandled by federal agents. Baraka has been vocal about the conditions at Delaney Hall, a private facility that began holding ICE detainees on May 1. He claimed the facility lacked proper permits and inspections, posing safety risks. The arrest has fueled protests against ICE and the Trump administration's immigration policies, with rallies planned in response.