Baraka Is Right to Challenge Delaney Hall Reopening – FightBackBetter Condemns Arrest!
This editor is certainly not a supporter of the Democratic Party and was recently falsely accused of a felony in a police complaint by NJ Asm Roy Freiman LD 16 – D. The accusation was frivolous and almost a month later the police report was finally released by NJ OAG, Somerset County Prosecutors Office and Montgomery Police and there were no charges made. So this commentary can not be misconstrued as me being a toady for the Democrats.
I have critiism of Baraka for not having adequately opposed genocide in Gaza and for not having as to my knowledge made an on the record statement opposing IHRA laws that will lead to unwarranted arrests of pro-Palestine advocates like the one he has been subjected to. This commentary is not an endorsement of his Gubernatorial candidacy – but to say he is RIGHT to oppose the reopening of Delaney Hall and demand a safety inspection.
This editor also goes on record condemning the illegal arrest by ICE of Ras Baraka and all of the other illegal actions being taken by ICE across the state of NJ and throughout the USA – as well as the very existence of ICE. Come a future reckoning – every ICE temp-thug and permament employee needs to be brought to justice and prosecuted for their illegal actions. For now we need to demand the dropping of charges on Ras Baraka.
Ras Baraka is correct to oppose Delaney reopening and to insist that it follows the letter of the law allowing the Congressional inspections. Most of the Democratic Party phony opposition to Trump pays lip service, possibly cherry picking some celebrity ICE cases to champion while they have been voting to fund ICE for years and have tolerated ICE repression by Democratic and Republican presidents previously. Perhaps Baraka should have done more previously but the circumstances with the ICE crackdown and the Trump administration’s plans to force Newark into a central role in the ICE war on NJ – demand that he step up to the Delaney Hall reopening in a forceful way.
As far as the 3 Congress members, Bonnie Watson-Coleman, LaMonica McIver and Robert Menendez Jr. – they are in the right to be attempting to inspect and enter the premises. They were not “storming” the facility as Trump administration is alleging. While I disagree with them likely on many issues – especially Junior Menendez – this editor is opposed to threatening them for arrest or for any actual persecution or prosecution. They are not heroes but they are doing their proper duty at Delaney Hall.
Honestly I am a little jealous of Ras Baraka – when he got arrested – he immediately has 10s of 1000s getting his back – including this editor. I was not charged in my case – but I felt awful lonely begging people to sign a statement or otherwise call for the OAG to release the police report over the fale accusation against me. Nonetheless – there are dangers that Ras and the 3 congress members face for taking actions that I am supportive of – and even if I might not be in their political corner – I am in their legal corner when it comes to fighting and beating back fascist attacks.
The arrest of Baraka has touched a nerve and now there are large protests against ICE around Delaney Hall. Unfortunately Democrats seem to be assuming some leadership role but there is definitely a grassroots component – expressions of solidarity with Palestine are present at the events. There is some convergence of forces that could lead to positive developments.
The Trump administration has been toying with the idea of arresting and prosecuting city officials where there are “Sanctuary City” provisions in place. Sanctuary city declarations mean that the cities prioritize safety and protection of individual rights over the what are usually illegal enforcement methods of ICE and Border Control police. Mayor Baraka is the first test case of such an arrest policy – and of course we demand immediate dismissal of the phony charges.
The Trump administration now toys with coming after the 3 congress members, Bonnie Watson-Coleman, LaMonica McIver and Robert Menendez Jr. who were executing their duties as congress members to rightfully demand access to the facility. They were there in official capacity and face potential arrests. I can be opposed to the Democratic Party as an institution – I certainly am – and at the same time oppose illegal arrests
The Delaney Hall situation and the arrests will provide fodder for exploitation of various political forces including the Trump administration and including by the Democratic Party who will use it as evidence that it has a viable role in the struggle.
Our struggle needs to build a united front and we should take steps to assert a true face of unity which includes fighting against the ICE crackdown on Palestine solidarity as well as NJ Democrats leading a similar IHRA crackdown on our strong efforts in solidarity with Palestinians here in NJ. We too can build off this momentum and truly challenge – for example – the likes of Andy Kim who as a “son of immigrants” and an actor in the effort to criticize ICE actually COMPLETELY ENDORSED THE ICE CRACKDOWN WHEN HE VOTED TO APPROVE KRISTI NOEM AS HOMELAND SECURITY HEAD.
Our struggle calls for nuance – in this case. Lets build off the momentum with true support for Palestinians and their supporters who are facing a unique form of ICE repression based upon expressed opinions, opposition to repressive weaponizing of police enforcement falsely targeting political opponents of Trump policies and learning from each other about how we can build trust through convergent work and hopefully forge victory producing unity!
His name is: Ricky Patel from Newark, NJ: Special Agent in Charge at Homeland Security Investigations
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