NJ agitators clash with federal agents, construct barricades outside Delaney Hall ICE facility

Agitators on Monday clashed with ICE agents outside of New Jersey’s Delaney Hall, with agitators being seen constructing reinforced barricades at the facility’s entrance and exit.

Agents were seen in footage from Freedom News TV’s Oliya Scootercaster deploying pepper spray on agitators outside of the building as they attempted to move the crowd back. Agents appeared to take some people into custody. 

Agitators were seen constructing barricades using building materials from a nearby dumpster. Some were also seen digging up cement bricks from outside the building for use in the barricades.

Among those who had been at the facility on Monday was Democrat Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey, who was seen having his face and eyes flushed with water following the deployment of pepper spray and pepper balls.

Kim was seen attempting to negotiate with the agitators to allow vehicles through, saying that he would place eyes on every car that passed through. "We don’t believe you," one person shouted.

He was yelled at by the agitators after federal agents moved in, saying that the agents "escalated" the situation and "bullied" the agitators. Kim told people that he was sorry. 

Earlier in the day, agitators could be seen constructing a human chain outside of the facility in an attempt to block the entrance. Governor Mikie Sherrill was seen outside the facility after DHS had denied her request to access the facility. A DHS spokesperson said, "Governor Sherrill's visit to Delaney Hall is nothing more than a political stunt on Memorial Day, when visitation is currently suspended due to riots outside the facility." 

Protestors and agitators have alleged inhumane conditions inside the facility, with detainees inside going on a hunger strike. Sherrill said on Sunday, "Sherrill had written on Sunday, "I’m deeply disturbed by reports of the poor conditions at Delaney Hall. Unsafe, inhumane, and unconstitutional living conditions are completely unacceptable. I have long opposed private detention facilities and advocated against them." DHS has said that detainees are given three meals per day, clean water, clothing, bedding, and access to showers and toiletries.