2 Protests Planned In Newark Against 'Police Brutality,' Delaney Hall

NEWARK, NJ — Two demonstrations are being planned in Newark this week, just days after a nationwide “No Kings” protest.

Here are the details about each demonstration:

POLICE BRUTALITY

The People’s Organization For Progress (POP) will host a “National Day Of Protest Against Police Brutality March and Rally” at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 22. The demonstration will begin at the Fraternal Order Of Police Lodge at 51 Rector Street, followed by a march to the federal building at 970 Broad Street.

Speakers at the protest will include activists and family members of police brutality victims. For more information, contact the People's Organization For Progress at (973)801-0001.

According to the group’s chair, Lawrence Hamm, the purpose of the demonstration is to “highlight the issue of police brutality” and draw attention to cases in New Jersey and throughout the country.

“We are also protesting to demand civilian oversight of the police,” Hamm said, referring to Newark’s Civilian Complaint Review Board, which was launched in 2016 as part of a landmark consent decree between the U.S Justice Department and the city.

“We want community control of the police,” Hamm said. “We demand police review boards with subpoena power and other necessary reforms to deal with this problem.”

The union has been one of the loudest critics of Newark’s review board. In 2020, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled in favor of the union on a court case, upholding some of the board’s powers – but putting the kibosh on others.

• See Related: NJ Supreme Court Limits Newark's Power To Probe Police Abuse
• See Related: Civil Rights Activists In Newark Push For NJ Police Reform Bill

DELANEY HALL

Another demonstration is planned for Wednesday outside Delaney Hall, a controversial federal immigration detention center in Newark.

According to a news release from Catholic Sisters, its members plan to lead a “prayerful public witness” outside the prison from 11 a.m. to noon.

The prayer service is a registered One Church, One Family event, a nationwide movement of U.S. Catholics that is calling on people to “publicly demonstrate solidarity with migrant families, asylum seekers and refugees.”

“By our presence outside Delaney Hall on October 22, we will add our prayerful support to the families and our brothers and sisters in detention,” said one of the event organizers, Marselys Lucero, director of peace through justice for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace.

“Together, our voices will send a powerful message in defense of the dignity of our neighbors, family members, fellow parishioners, classmates, coworkers and friends,” Lucero said.

• See Related: Pro-Immigrant Protests Continue Outside ICE Detention Center In Newark

Other advocates have criticized the conditions that people have faced as they try to visit their loved ones at the prison.

“Visitors are forced to wait outside on an active driveway for hours at a time and in all sorts of weather, including thunderstorms,” said Kathy O’Leary from Pax Christi New Jersey.

“Delaney Hall does not provide an indoor waiting area, but volunteers are there each visiting day with chairs, umbrellas, blankets, refreshments, and toys for the kids,” O’Leary said, adding that advocates are worried for visitors’ safety as colder weather starts to arrive.

• See Related: 'Inhumane, Unsafe': Visitors To ICE Prison In NJ Forced To Wait Near Metal Fence During Thunderstorm

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