Senator Andy Kim was pepper-sprayed by federal agents during protests at the Delaney Hall detention facility in Newark, New Jersey. According to The Guardian, Kim joined Governor Mikie Sherrill at the protest to speak with relatives of detainees who are reportedly staging a hunger strike against poor conditions and denial of medical care.
Key Takeaways
Senator Andy Kim was pepper-sprayed during protests at the Delaney Hall detention facility in Newark, New Jersey. Protesters and detainees allege poor conditions and denial of medical care inside the facility. According to CBS News, Governor Mikie Sherrill was denied access to the facility.
- Senator Andy Kim pepper-sprayed by federal agents during protest at ICE facility
- Protests escalate over alleged inhumane conditions for detainees
- Governor Mikie Sherrill denied access to Delaney Hall detention facility
- Detainees reportedly staging a hunger strike against poor conditions and denial of medical care
- DHS disputes claims, stating detainees receive adequate meals, medical care, and other necessities
Kim told USA Today that he was pepper-sprayed after attempting to de-escalate a standoff between protesters and ICE agents. He described seeing 'chaos inside and outside' the facility, with ICE deploying an armored vehicle as a barricade. Kim also stated that his eyes and throat were still burning from the incident.
The protests have been ongoing since Friday, with demonstrators alleging that detainees are being denied fresh food, medical care, and proper air conditioning. Tensions escalated on Sunday when authorities attempted to move Martin Soto, a detainee who organized the hunger strike, to another facility. According to CBS News, Sheriff was denied access to Delaney Hall detention facility.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has disputed claims about the conditions inside the facility. In statements reported by Fox News and CBS News, DHS claimed that detainees receive three meals a day, clean water, clothing, bedding, showers, soap, toiletries, and access to phones to communicate with family members and lawyers. The agency also stated that certified dietitians evaluate meals and that ICE has higher detention standards than most U.S. prisons.
Despite the DHS's claims, protesters and detainees continue to allege inhumane conditions inside the facility. Senator Kim has called for the immediate closure of Delaney Hall, stating that 'Delaney Hall is a failure; it’s this administration’s failure.' The protests have drawn attention from other Democratic politicians, including Governor Sherrill and Congressman Rob Menendez.
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