Newark Mayor Ras Baraka Compares Arrest at ICE Facility to Biblical Story of King David, Claims Protest Was "Absolutely Effective"

Newark, New Jersey Mayor Ras Baraka is facing charges following his arrest at a federal immigration detention center last week. The incident occurred during a protest at Delaney Hall, a privately run facility that was recently converted into an immigration detention center. Three members of Congress were also present at the protest, stating they were there to perform their congressionally mandated oversight duties.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, Baraka and the congressional lawmakers allegedly rushed through the facility’s gates and past security when the gates opened to allow an ICE bus to enter. The arrest followed days of calls from activists for access to the facility.

Baraka has repeatedly defended his actions, maintaining that he did nothing wrong and that his tactics were "absolutely effective." During a Democrat primary debate for the New Jersey gubernatorial race on Monday evening, he stood by his actions, further solidifying his stance the following day.

At a political rally in Newark on Tuesday afternoon, Baraka addressed a crowd of supporters and drew a parallel between his arrest and the biblical story of King David. He declared the situation "our David moment," suggesting that facing controversy and confrontation is necessary to achieve promised goals.

"This is our David moment," Baraka told the crowd. "Many of us miss our David moment because we [are] trying to run away from confrontation and controversy. But your crowd lives in the middle of controversy. The thing that has been promised to you is surrounded by high walls, and the gates are guarded by giants. If you’re running from conflict and controversy, then you’ll never get what’s promised of you. This is our David moment."

Baraka elaborated on the circumstances of his arrest, telling supporters that he physically could not have prevented it. He claimed that his body "froze" involuntarily after being informed that he was going to be arrested for trespassing.

"When the congressman came to the gate and was like, ‘Mayor, they said they’re going to arrest you.’ That was a David moment," Baraka recounted. "I could have gotten in the car and ran. I could have said, ‘I’m getting out of here, maybe they’ll arrest me at work or at home or whatever.’ But I froze. I froze – not even actively or deliberately – my body froze. My body – my body froze, like, ‘This is it, you’re supposed to be here. Whatever they going to do, they going to do it.’"

Baraka also addressed the post-arrest procedures, making light of the situation while acknowledging the seriousness of the charges. He quipped that he was speaking to attendees at the rally "as a returning citizen," quickly correcting himself to "formerly incarcerated," which elicited laughter from the crowd.

"They told me I got to check in, and they ain’t talking about the hood either," Baraka added. "I got to check in, I have to give them all my information, all this stuff, all my family’s information. I mean, I’m making light of it, but it’s real. I got to go to court Thursday. Are these people … serious? They’re really trying to go forward with this and leverage it to make me be quiet."

Baraka confirmed to Fox News Digital that he returned to the detention facility on Tuesday morning. He also participated in a pretrial intervention phone call in advance of a Thursday court hearing. According to media reports, Baraka intends to plead not guilty.

The situation has drawn attention to the ongoing debate surrounding immigration detention facilities and the role of elected officials in overseeing their operations. The three congressional lawmakers who were present at the protest asserted that they were fulfilling their congressionally mandated oversight duties. The arrest of Baraka, a prominent Democratic figure and gubernatorial candidate, has further politicized the issue.

The comparison to King David adds a layer of complexity to the narrative. In the biblical story, David, a young shepherd, bravely confronted the giant Goliath, ultimately defeating him and becoming a national hero. By invoking this story, Baraka appears to be positioning himself as a figure fighting against powerful forces for the benefit of his constituents.

However, the analogy has been met with mixed reactions. Some observers have criticized the comparison, arguing that it trivializes the biblical story and misrepresents the nature of the charges against Baraka. Others have defended Baraka’s right to express himself and draw inspiration from religious texts.

The legal proceedings against Baraka are ongoing, and the outcome remains uncertain. The case is likely to have implications for Baraka’s political future, as well as for the broader debate surrounding immigration policy and the role of local officials in challenging federal authority.