Newark Mayor Ras Baraka arrested outside ICE detention center
'The Mayor of Newark, Ras Baraka, committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings from Homeland Security Investigations to remove himself from the ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey this afternoon,' interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey and former Donald Trump defense lawyer Alina Habba posted on X. 'He has willingly chosen to disregard the law. That will not stand in this state. He has been taken into custody. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.'
Video obtained by Axios shows Baraka and other prominent Democrats at odds with authorities outside the Delaney Hall immigration center.
Witnesses told Pix11 the mayor's arrest followed his attempt to join a facility tour with three of New Jersey's congressional delegates.
A confrontation reportedly began when officers blocked Baraka from entering the facility. Viri Martinez, an activist with the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, said officers 'swarmed' the mayor after pushing and shoving ensued.
'They put Baraka in handcuffs and put him in an unmarked car,' she told Pix11.
The Department of Homeland Security later released a statement alleging 'a group of protestors, including two members of the U.S. House of Representatives, stormed the gate and broke into the detention facility.'
Those elected officials were identified as New Jersey representatives Robert Menendez, Jr. and Bonnie Watson Coleman. Rep. LaMonica McIver was also present for what she said was an oversight visit.
McIver claimed Baraka did 'nothing wrong' and was targeted by officers after following directions.
Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin called Friday's clash a political stunt and said the department would have facilitated a tour had those involved requested one.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said he was 'outraged' by Baraka's arrest and called for his immediate release by federal officers.
Baraka is running to become the Garden State's next governor in November. Murphy is term-limited and can't run.
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