Delaney Hall protests: 5 of 6 arrested Friday were 'outside agitators,' Sherril says

Sherrill: State police cleared Delaney Hall protest to avoid ICE conflict

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill says state police cleared out a protest area outside Delaney Hall in Newark Friday night, "to avoid escalation from ICE." But Sherrill asked protesters to "bring the temperature down." 

NEWARK, N.J. - New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said State Police temporarily cleared the area outside Delaney Hall early Saturday morning as officers worked to secure a path for vehicles leaving the facility. Gov. Mikie Sherrill said the measure was meant "to avoid escalation from ICE."

What they're saying:

At a press conference Saturday afternoon, Sherrill, Davenport and other state officials gave an update on escalating protests overnight. Both said that state police intervened to keep protesters safe.

"We did not make this decision lightly," Sherrill said. "It was absolutely necessary to avoid escalation from ICE."

Both Sherrill and Davenport criticized ICE and the Trump administration for tactics used by federal agents at similar immigration protests across the country, including the killing of Renée Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota earlier this year.

" Unlike what we have seen out of Washington in recent months, we care deeply in our state about protecting our constitutional rights," Davenport said.

What we know:

State police officers cleared the area outside Delaney Hall overnight Friday to clear the way for vehicles transporting employees out of the facility, according to Davenport. Davenport said most protesters complied with orders to leave, but others didn't, and "took dangerous actions, including deploying fireworks and throwing gas canisters at law enforcement, that put everyone in harm’s way." 

Six people were ultimately arrested overnight Friday. Five of them, according to Sherrill, were from out of state. Sherrill also said that "extremist groups" were involved in protests at the detention center on Saturday.

Delaney Hall protests continue as State Police clear area outside Newark facility

Sherrill calls for change at Delaney Hall

What they're saying:

Sherrill also expressed gratitude for the protesters on Saturday, "who have assembled peacefully and raised their voices about Delaney Hall's conditions.

"That's exactly where our focus needs to be right now," Sherrill said. "Advocating for better conditions for those inside the facility." 

Sherrill demanded the Department of Homeland Security make several changes at Delaney Hall, including restoring visitation for detainees' families, appropriate medical care, and for detainees to have "meaningful chances to review their cases."

Delaney Hall protests

The backstory:

Delaney Hall, an immigration detention center in Newark, has been the site of days of protests over reported conditions inside the facility.

The Associated Press reported that New Jersey State Police were sent to establish designated protest zones and vehicle checkpoints outside Delaney Hall on Friday, replacing federal immigration agents who had clashed with protesters for days.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill said State Police were sent in to bring order outside the facility as demonstrations intensified, according to the Associated Press.

Delaney Hall protests continue as State Police clear area outside Newark facility

What we don't know:

The attorney general’s statement did not say whether anyone was arrested or injured during Saturday evening’s response.

The statement also did not say how many people were involved in the actions described by Davenport.

What's next:

State officials have said the goal is to keep the area safe while preserving the right to protest peacefully.

Delaney Hall remains the focus of ongoing demonstrations as questions continue over conditions inside the facility and law enforcement’s response outside it.