Profiles in Protest

News and updates continue to stream from Delaney Hall, the troubled detention center in New Jersey holding some 1,000 immigrants the Trump regime considers illegal.

Becky and I were there last weekend to meet with families of detainees and the wonderful crew of volunteers, including our daughter and son-in-law, who provide support to families with loved ones inside.

Although the NY Times’ coverage is at best meager, several New Jersey mainstream and independent media are covering what’s happening at Delaney Hall. Their coverage includes the hunger/labor strike, violent reaction by ICE officials, removal and isolation of inmates, and the strong presence and advocacy of Senator Andy Kim, Rep Robert Menendez and others. 

Meanwhile, messages of solidarity are coming in from around the country, including from Rabbi Susan Abramson of Temple Shalom Emeth, a principal organizer of the protests at the ICE headquarters in Burlington. 

Here’s what she posted on FB, reporting on the continued weekly protests in Burlington: “400 of us stood against the policies and injustices of ICE this week at Bearing Witness At The Burlington ICE Office. Thanks to all who donated food, snacks, diapers, and toys. We stand in solidarity with Delaney Hall!”

While at the Family Support tent at Delaney Hall, we met some amazing people–dedicated volunteers who provide personal support, food, clothes and a place for families to wait, rest, and have a hot or cold beverage. 

We met Gabriela, the wife of Martin, held inside the prison. Mother of two small children and expecting a third, Gabby is an American citizen, as are her children. Martin, however, is from Peru. He was in the process of filing as spouse of a citizen for legal status. He was arrested by ICE while going to the store for diapers.

An eloquent spokesperson for families of detainees, Gabriela has spoken up with force, calling not only for an end to horrendous treatment of inmates but for their constitutional right to due process and release. We met her inside the tent as rain poured down outside. Her voice was hoarse, and she was sipping hot tea. All the same, she greeted us with warmth and proudly showed us a photo of her husband with their children.

Because her husband has been considered a leader of the 300 inmates who went on hunger strike, ICE officials attempted to remove him from Delaney Hall. Protesters, however, blocked the vehicle from leaving, and it turned back. Later that night, however, ICE shackled and chained Martin and took him away in an unmarked car via a back exit. He was taken to another detention center in Elizabeth, NJ, and put in solitary confinement. Gabriela has since gone to that site. I don’t know, at this point, if she has been allowed to see him.

The other person I want to mention is a middle-aged man named Daniel. In January he was arrested while going to pay his electric bill. Taken first to Delaney Hall, he was then flown to a detention center in California. Daniel had recently been diagnosed with a brain tumor and had begun radiation treatments. Now he was held far from home and friends. Not willing to let his case go unheard, my daughter contacted a friend in California who found him an attorney willing to take his case pro bono. It took several months for the habeas corpus appeal to be heard, but in May Daniel was finally released on bond and returned to New Jersey. Met by friends and advocates, he has been able to resume medical treatments. Last week he stopped by the welcome tent at Delaney Hall to say thank you for their support. 

The situation at Delaney Hall continues to escalate, and we don’t know what will become of the detainees or their families. Charges of wormy food, lack of medical treatment and brutality continue. Protesters, inlcuding Senator Kim have been pepper sprayed. Ambulances have been seen coming and going. 

What’s happening at Delaney Hall is not just a local crisis. It’s a national crisis. As our daughter reminds us, the struggle is not a 100-yard dash. It’s a marathon. Courage to all as we continue, each in own way, to stand up for those being oppressed.

PS. Thanks for the encouraging responses from S4SJ network members.