When Newark Mayor and NJ Gubernatorial Candidate Ras Baraka was arrested last month outside of an ICE detention center in Newark, it sparked outrage amongst constituents and further questions about its legality.
Following the arrest, Interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba stated: “The Mayor of Newark, Ras Baraka, committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings from Homeland Security Investigations to remove himself from the ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey this afternoon.”
However, later in the month, Habba and the Trump Administration dropped the charges against Baraka. Many saw the arrest and subsequent dismissal as the end of the case.
Now, Baraka is filing charges against Habba, alleging false arrest and malicious prosecution following his detainment.
In the wake of the incident, Baraka’s legal team argued that he was a victim of selective prosecution, making specific note of the fact that he was the only individual amongst the group of officials present that was arrested. Furthermore, they insisted it was a politically motivated stunt and that the arrest took place on public grounds within his own Jurisdiction as Mayor.
U.S. Magistrate Judge André Espinosa dismissed the trespassing charge on May 21, labeling the prosecution’s motives as rushed and politically driven.
Baraka and his team are insisting that his arrest is part of a larger project by the Trump administration to silence critics of their controversial immigration policies. The Trump admin has been accused of illegally deporting and detaining dozens of individuals without due process.
Baraka’s attorneys are seeking damages as well as formal acknowledgement of the alleged misconduct. They are arguing that the administration violated the Newark Mayor’s constitutional rights.
You can read the full lawsuit here.
Peter Candia is the Food + Drink Editor at New Jersey Digest. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Peter found a passion for writing midway through school and never looked back. He is a former line cook, server and bartender at top-rated restaurants in the tri-state area. In addition to food, Peter enjoys politics, music, sports and anything New Jersey.
