Assemblyman Alex Sauickie introduced a resolution Thursday condemning Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s handling of the unrest outside Delaney Hall in Newark and calling for an independent bipartisan investigation into the actions of both the governor and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.
The resolution (AR144) says that Sherrill politicized and encouraged the demonstrations that escalated into clashes with law enforcement outside the federal immigration detention facility beginning over Memorial Day weekend.
“Memorial Day is one of the most sacred days on the American calendar, set aside to honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation,” said Sauickie (R-Ocean). “While New Jersey families gathered to remember our fallen heroes, Governor Sherrill chose political theater. Instead of leading, she inserted herself into a volatile situation for national attention and political gain.”
According to the resolution, the riots outside Delaney Hall disrupted federal operations, strained public safety resources and ultimately required a response from the New Jersey State Police.
“The governor’s response has been backwards from the beginning,” Sauickie said. “She criticized federal law enforcement, blamed those tasked with maintaining order and then sent State Troopers into an increasingly dangerous situation. No governor should put our State Police in harm’s way to score political points.”
Sauickie also pointed to what he called contradictory statements from Sherrill regarding out-of-state participants in the demonstrations.
“The governor complained that many of the rioters crossed state lines to take part in the unrest, yet continues to oppose the detention of individuals who entered this country illegally after crossing international borders,” he said. “The contradiction speaks for itself.”
The resolution formally condemns what it describes as the governor’s support, encouragement and politicization of the Delaney Hall unrest and seeks an independent bipartisan review of decisions made by both Sherrill and Baraka during the incident.
Sauickie said the governor’s attention should be focused on New Jersey’s affordability crisis rather than national political battles.
“Families are struggling under crushing property taxes, rising utility bills, soaring insurance costs and one of the highest costs of living in the nation,” Sauickie said. “What New Jersey needs is a governor focused on governing, not auditioning for a national audience.”
“Our State Police deserve support. Our residents deserve leadership,” he added. “And our fallen heroes deserved better than having their day of remembrance turned into a backdrop for political theater.”
