PHOTOS: Protests, Hunger Strike Continue At Bergen County Jail – Patch.com

This story was updated at 3:45 p.m.

HACKENSACK, NJ — Nearly 100 demonstrators gathered outside the Bergen County Jail on a cold Sunday in Hackensack, armed with megaphones, signs and plenty of support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees inside the jail’s walls.

Through a speaker, testimony was heard via phone with detained immigrants from Bergen County and Essex County jails.

Glen Rock council member, and former 5th District congressional candidate, Arati Kreibich joined demonstrators, calling the stories from detained immigrants “heartbreaking, inspiring and heartbreaking all over again.”

“No one is on a hunger strike unless it’s a desperate cry for help,” Kreibich added.

Representatives from activist groups in Ridgewood, Wayne and Teaneck were either in attendance, or shared information or videos from the ground.

In addition to words from area activists, many in the crowd held signs both in support of those on hunger strike, and in direct opposition to ICE.

“Fight ignorance not immigrants,” read one. “Reunite the families,” read another.

Protests in solidarity with ICE detainees began formally Nov. 27, and have continued daily since.

On Sunday, demonstrators perhaps made their biggest display yet, chanting, playing drums and standing near the barbed wire fence which borders windows of the jail which have been boarded up, contrary to what ICE officials told Patch last week.

This went on for at least 23 minutes, to symbolize the 23rd day of the hunger strike taken on by detained immigrants.

“They blocked the windows, but they’ll be able to hear us,” one activist shouted.

Demonstrators gathered outside the Bergen County Jail Sunday. Shown here, demonstrators banged drums and chanted for 23 minutes to symbolize the 23 days of hunger strikes. (Montana Samuels/Patch)
Demonstrators gathered outside the Bergen County Jail Sunday. Shown here, demonstrators banged drums and chanted for 23 minutes to symbolize the 23 days of hunger strikes. (Montana Samuels/Patch)

Eventually, that demonstration moved into an intersection at East Broadway and South River Street, shutting down and rerouting lanes of traffic.

Protests continued at the jail Monday, with demonstrators again taking to the streets, slowing traffic.

The Bergen County Sheriff’s Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Demonstrators eventually moved their protest to the street. (Montana Samuels/Patch)
Demonstrators eventually moved their protest to the street. (Montana Samuels/Patch)

Recently, as the hunger strike has continued, and after the Hudson County Freeholders made a controversial decision to extend an ICE contract, New Jersey officials have joined the chorus of voices speaking out against the organization.

“No governmental entity in New Jersey should be accepting money from ICE to detain individuals, particularly when the agency continues to pursue inhumane, xenophobic policies designed to terrorize and rip apart immigrant families; it has to stop,” said Senator Bob Menendez.

“I do not believe taking blood money from ICE, to turn our jails into waystations for deportations for nonviolent, non-criminal immigration detainees, is consistent with our values nor is it in the best interests of our communities,” he added.

READ MORE: NJ Senators Want To End ICE Contracts As Hunger Strike Continues

There were originally nine detainees on hunger strike. That number has since decreased to four last week, but has risen to six as of Monday, according to ICE officials.

Today, it is being reported by activist groups that their health has deteriorated to the point of hospitalization.

Health concerns have been growing as the strike now moves into its fourth week.

Though ICE has denied prior hospitalizations of strikers, activist groups reported that Wilson Peña Lojo was transported to an area hospital last week after his blood pressure dropped “to a dangerously low level.”

Lojo, according to the coalition, has also tested positive for the coronavirus while detained, and is reportedly having kidney issues. He is reportedly among the four who were transferred to the emergency room Monday.

When asked about hospitalizations Friday, ICE officials said “no detainees have been hospitalized in connection with the hunger strike.”

They offered the same statement Monday.

ICE detainees are hoping to receive their release, so they can fight their deportation cases from outside the jail’s walls, where the threat of contracting the coronavirus is lessened.

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