Tensions outside Newark’s Delaney Hall detention facility escalated into overnight clashes, prompting New Jersey officials to impose a curfew in the surrounding area.
The situation developed after days of protests outside the facility, where demonstrators had gathered over concerns related to detention conditions and treatment of detainees.
According to officials, the unrest turned more volatile during the night as confrontations broke out between protesters and law enforcement officers deployed to maintain order.
Governor Mikie Sherrill said masked agitators played a central role in escalating the violence, warning that their actions overshadowed peaceful demonstrations and created dangerous conditions on the ground.
She added that the incidents put both law enforcement personnel and peaceful protesters at risk as tensions rose sharply outside the facility.
New Jersey State Police have since taken full control of the area, with authorities working to restore stability and prevent further clashes.
Officials say the immediate focus is on securing the perimeter, ensuring public safety, and allowing controlled family visitation inside the detention center.
Security forces remain heavily deployed, while nearby neighborhoods continue to operate under a curfew.
Authorities are also reviewing footage and gathering evidence as part of ongoing investigations into the overnight unrest.
For now, the area remains under tight security as officials work to bring the situation fully back under control.
