Photojournalists Allege Targeted Attacks by ICE Agents During Delaney Hall Protests
Reporting Under Fire: Photojournalists' Accounts of Confrontation at Delaney Hall
Journalists' Claims of Intentional Targeting During Newark Protests
Several photojournalists, present at demonstrations near Delaney Hall, an immigration detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, have come forward with allegations. They assert that personnel from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deliberately singled them out and assaulted them while they were documenting the ongoing protests.
Unrest Continues: Demands for Humane Treatment and Medical Access
For over a week, anti-ICE protests have persisted outside Delaney Hall. Reports indicate that detainees within the facility are advocating for better living conditions and access to medical care. Concurrently, demonstrators maintain their presence, expressing solidarity with immigrants whom they claim are enduring inhumane treatment.
Reports of Injuries and Equipment Damage Emerge from the Field
A recent news report detailed accusations from multiple photojournalists who sustained injuries while covering disturbances near the detention center. These journalists also reported damage to their photographic equipment, including instances of broken fingers.
Eyewitness Account: Baton Strike and Suspected Broken Finger
A Reuters photojournalist recounted being struck by a baton on multiple evenings during the protest coverage. He specifically mentioned an incident where an agent allegedly aimed for his camera, resulting in a blow to his finger which he believes was broken. He described the immediate numbness in his hand and the severe gash that bled profusely.
Another Photographer Recounts Being Forcefully Pushed to the Ground
A photographer frequently contributing to The New York Times also shared her experience of being intentionally shoved to the ground by an agent during the protests. She stated that the agent used a baton in the confrontation. Another journalist was reportedly seen in a defensive posture as agents advanced, and a prominent photographer, who chose to remain anonymous, reported his camera's top was destroyed.
DHS Contacted for Comments on the Allegations
The reporting outlet has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for their perspective on these allegations and is awaiting an official response.
A Pattern of Incidents: Photojournalists Face Dangers Across the Nation
Over the past year, numerous incidents involving photojournalists encountering risks while covering protests across the United States have been documented. This includes a photographer in Los Angeles who reported being hit by a less-lethal round and suffering a broken bone during an anti-ICE protest. Additionally, a student photographer in Los Angeles allegedly lost an eye after being struck by a projectile during a separate protest, an incident also attributed to a DHS agent.