Ten Days of Resistance: The Ongoing Protests at Newark’s ICE Detention Center

It’s hard to believe that the small stretch of highway outside the Newark ICE detention center has turned into a permanent stage for protest. What started as a handful of voices in early May has now swelled into a steady stream of demonstrators, chanting, holding signs, and refusing to be silenced.

On day ten, the crowd was a mix of familiar faces—students from nearby colleges, members of local churches, and representatives from labor unions—along with newcomers who arrived after hearing about the movement on social media. The atmosphere was a little chaotic, the kind you’d expect when so many passionate people gather, but there was also an undeniable sense of solidarity.

“We’re here because families are being torn apart,” said Maria González, a community organizer who has been on the front lines since the first protest. “Every day we stand here, we remind the government that real people are living this nightmare.” Her words echoed the sentiment that has fueled the protests: a demand for humane treatment of detained migrants and a call to shut down a facility many say has become a symbol of an unjust system.

Officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have largely stayed out of the public eye, issuing only brief statements that the center remains operational and that security is “maintained.” Meanwhile, city leaders have been forced to address the growing pressure. Newark’s mayor, Ras Baraka, met with protest leaders earlier this week and pledged to explore alternatives to detention, though he stopped short of promising an immediate closure.

Supporters of the protest have been creative in their tactics. Some participants have organized a “potluck of peace,” sharing homemade meals on the sidewalk, while others have staged a silent march, walking in a slow, deliberate line that stretched for blocks. A few have even performed a makeshift “human chain” across the parking lot, linking arms to symbolize the families they want to keep together.

Critics, however, argue that the protests disrupt traffic and that the center is a necessary part of national security. A spokesperson for a local business association voiced concerns about the impact on commuters and nearby shops. Yet even some skeptics have admitted that the persistence of the demonstrations has sparked a broader conversation about immigration policy.

Legal experts point out that the detention center has faced lawsuits over conditions and the treatment of detainees, especially children. In recent months, a federal judge ordered a review of the facility’s practices, adding another layer of urgency to the protests.

As the sun set on the tenth day, chants of “No more families separated” faded into the night, but the determination of the crowd did not. Volunteers began setting up for another day, distributing water bottles and flyers that read, “Stand up. Speak out. Stay strong.” It’s clear that, for many in Newark, the fight isn’t just about one building—it’s about the future of how a nation treats its most vulnerable people.