In a dramatic escalation of tensions between local and federal authorities, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested on Friday outside the Delaney Hall Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Newark, New Jersey. Baraka, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate known for his staunch opposition to federal immigration policies, was taken into custody after allegedly trespassing and ignoring repeated warnings from Homeland Security personnel to vacate the premises .

The arrest occurred during a protest against the recently reopened 1,000-bed detention center operated by private prison contractor GEO Group under a 15-year, $1 billion contract with ICE . Baraka has been a vocal critic of the facility, arguing that it lacks proper permits and violates local ordinances. His administration filed a lawsuit against GEO Group shortly after the contract was announced .

Accompanying Baraka were Democratic Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman, LaMonica McIver, and Rob Menendez, who were attempting to conduct an oversight tour of the facility. According to witnesses, when federal officials blocked their entry, a heated confrontation ensued, leading to Baraka’s arrest .

Acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, Alina Habba, stated that Baraka “chose to disregard the law” and emphasized that “no one is above the law” . The Department of Homeland Security accused the group of protesters, including the congressmembers, of storming the gate and disrupting operations, calling the incident a “bizarre political stunt” that endangered safety .

Baraka’s arrest underscores the deepening divide between local leaders and federal immigration authorities. As the mayor of New Jersey’s largest city and a gubernatorial hopeful, Baraka’s actions reflect a broader political strategy to position himself as a progressive champion against the Trump administration’s immigration policies. However, critics argue that his confrontational approach and disregard for legal protocols may undermine his credibility and effectiveness as a leader.

The incident also raises questions about the conduct of the accompanying congressmembers, particularly Rep. Rob Menendez, son of embattled U.S. Senator Bob Menendez. While video footage of the confrontation has not been publicly released, reports suggest that the lawmakers’ actions contributed to the escalation of tensions at the facility. Every legislator who resisted, pushed and assaulted the officers should have been arrested and charged accordingly, including Rob Menendez.

As the situation continues to unfold, Baraka’s campaign has stated that they are “actively monitoring” the events and will provide further details as they become available . The mayor’s arrest marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement and the role of local governments in challenging federal policies.

May 9, 2025 – Newark, NJ

In a resounding win for free speech and constitutional rights, the Newark Municipal Court today dismissed all charges against investigative journalist Leroy Truth (Leonard Filipowski) relating to his unlawful arrest at a Union City Commissioners Meeting. This ruling marks a critical defeat for Union City’s political machine and a major step forward in the fight to protect First Amendment freedoms from abuse by those in power.

The Arrest: A Stark Display of Political Overreach

The incident that sparked widespread outrage occurred on July 16, 2024, during a Union City Board of Commissioners meeting. Leroy Truth, a well-known critic of Mayor and State Senator Brian Stack, used the public comment period to question Stack’s ties to the now-convicted U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, pointing to years of entrenched political corruption in Hudson County.

Videos—widely shared across social media from multiple angles—captured the entire event and have been viewed on very social media channels over 4 million times throughout the world.

These recordings allow viewers to witness, firsthand, the full context of the incident: from Truth’s measured but firm remarks to the aggressive and unlawful actions of Union City Police Captain Omar Hernandez. The footage reveals a shocking abuse of authority and provides undeniable proof of the events that unfolded before, during, and after Truth’s arrest.

Violation of Constitutional Rights: “You Cannot Disrespect the Commissioners”

In the videos, Captain Hernandez is heard repeatedly telling Truth, “You cannot disrespect the commissioners,” before forcibly removing him. This statement alone constitutes a flagrant violation of the First Amendment. Criticism of public officials—no matter how uncomfortable—is protected speech under the U.S. Constitution. Hernandez’s comments and actions highlight either a gross misunderstanding or a willful disregard of basic civil liberties.

Misinterpretation and Abuse of the Open Public Meetings Act

Adding to the legal quagmire, Captain Hernandez wrongly cited the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) as justification for the arrest. However, it must be made clear: OPMA governs the conduct of public bodies, not the speech of private citizens. Law enforcement officers, including the Union City Police Department, have no legal jurisdiction to enforce the provisions of the OPMA against members of the public. Captain Hernandez’s misuse of this law to silence a critic represents a blatant abuse of power and a textbook case of civil rights violations under color of law.

Legal Battle: A Triumph for Civil Rights

Following his arrest, Leroy Truth filed a civil rights lawsuit against Mayor Stack and the Union City Police Department, exposing the retaliatory and unconstitutional nature of his arrest. Truth’s attorney, Mario Blanch, fought relentlessly to defend his client’s rights, arguing that the arrest was nothing short of a calculated attempt to intimidate and silence dissent.

Today’s dismissal of the charges vindicates both Leroy Truth and the principle that no one is above the Constitution. Mario Blanch deserves special commendation for his unwavering defense of civil liberties and for holding Union City’s corrupt leadership accountable in court.

The Bigger Picture: Exposing a Political Machine

This case casts an unflattering spotlight on Mayor Brian Stack’s administration and the Union City Police Department, exposing deep-rooted corruption and a culture of political retaliation. Stack’s empire has long been accused of using intimidation tactics to suppress criticism and maintain a stranglehold on local power. The attempt to criminalize public discourse at an open meeting only confirms what many have long suspected: Stack and his enablers fear accountability.

Conclusion: A Warning to Abusers of Power

The dismissal of these baseless charges is not just a personal victory for Leroy Truth—it’s a powerful statement that the people of New Jersey will not tolerate the erosion of their fundamental rights. This case sets a crucial precedent: public officials who attempt to weaponize law enforcement to stifle criticism will be exposed and defeated.

As the fight for transparency and accountability continues, citizens are reminded that the First Amendment is non-negotiable—and those who try to trample on it, from Brian Stack down to his loyal lieutenants, will be held to account.

Union City, NJ – In an unprecedented development, city employees across all departments have reported that no payroll deposits have been received today, sparking confusion and growing outrage among municipal workers. According to multiple sources, this is the first time in recent memory that such a widespread payroll failure has occurred, raising serious concerns about the city’s financial management and stability.

City officials have confirmed that the payroll department is actively working to resolve the issue, but at this time no clear explanation has been provided as to what caused the disruption or when employees can expect to be paid. The incident has sent shockwaves through the municipal workforce, many of whom rely on timely paychecks to meet essential household needs.

“This is a very, very unusual and deeply troubling situation,” one city employee stated under the condition of anonymity. “We’ve had delays before, but never a complete failure to pay everyone. It’s unacceptable.” Another anonymous employee stated, “what the hell is going on? this is crazy payrolll is giving us the run around saying she doesn’t know!”

The crisis comes amid ongoing frustrations within the Union City Police Department. Despite the recent ratification of a new contract between the City and the Police Benevolent Association (PBA), officers continue to report significant issues with their pay. Many have complained that they have yet to receive their contractual raises and retroactive pay adjustments, despite months of waiting and repeated assurances.

“The ink is dry on the new contract, but officers are still not seeing the pay they are owed,” said a source familiar with the matter. “This only adds to the growing mistrust and low morale within the department.”

As of this hour, city hall has not issued an official statement detailing the root cause of the payroll failure or whether this incident may be connected to deeper financial problems within Union City’s budget. The timing and magnitude of the crisis have sparked widespread speculation about the city’s fiscal health and whether deeper systemic issues are at play.

The story is developing, and more details are expected to emerge in the coming hours. For now, Union City workers are left in the dark, anxiously awaiting answers—and their paychecks.

Stay with us for continuous updates as this breaking story unfolds.