What is happening at the Delaney Hall detention center is a microcosm of everything that is wrong with the company Palantir and why the state of New Jersey should not be investing $130 million in such a company. In addition to Palantir’s tools enabling the AI-generated Gaza genocide and war crimes in Iran and Lebanon, here at home Palantir has a $30 million federal contract with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to develop “ImmigrationOS.” This AI-powered software platform is the digital backbone of ICE’s tracking and deportation operations.
Delaney Hall in Newark, NJ, is a 1,000-bed private for-profit immigrant detention prison operated by The GEO Group for ICE. Last week, a letter to public officials signed by some 300 detainees was smuggled out detailing the inhumane conditions they were subject to, including spoiled and inedible food, lack of medical care, overcrowding, undrinkable water, lack of due process, and other human rights concerns. On Friday, May 22, hundreds of detainees launched a hunger and labor strike to call attention to the inhumane conditions as well as their lack of due process.
These are their demands:
- An immediate in-person meeting with Governor Mikie Sherrill at Delaney Hall to directly observe conditions and hear testimony from detained individuals.
- The immediate release of vulnerable detainees including pregnant women, young people, elderly, and those with serious medical conditions
- Meaningful review of immigration cases and habeas filings.
- An end to what they describe as coercive pressure to sign deportation or voluntary departure documents.
- Strikers do not want better conditions and treatment. They want FREEDOM!
Advocates for the detainees and their families organized a vigil, which is ongoing, to support the strikers. Hundreds of supporters responded. This past weekend, Federal ICE agents in riot gear were deployed to push back against demonstrators who blocked the exit routes to prevent detainees from being relocated to unknown detention facilities away from their families. Among the weapons ICE deployed was a Lenco BearCat armored vehicle equipped with a roof-mounted weapon capable of discharging tear gas, pepper spray, or rubber bullets. ICE agents have continued to attack and pepper-spray peaceful demonstrators numerous times. New Jersey Senator Andy Kim was pepper-sprayed as he tried to de-escalate the situation. Retaliatory violence and abuse have stepped up against the strikers inside and several detainees have been transported by ambulance due to injuries sustained at the hands of guards.
Here are actions you can take to support the strikers:
- Sign this one-click letter to Gov. Sherrill to demand legal funds for detainees.
- Donate to the Commissary Fund so that detainees can purchase food, toiletries, and other necessities that are lacking.
- Donate to the Legal Aid and Bond Fund
- Tell Congress: Defund ICE and Show Up for Immigrants at Delaney Hall!
- If you can, please join the 24-hour vigil to support the strikers at Delaney Hall!
breakthebondsnj.org 
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