Protesters clash with ICE agents outside New Jersey detention center

Protesters outside a New Jersey migrant detention center where a hunger strike is under way alleged that US immigration agents deployed pepper spray and batons against them during a demonstration on Monday. The protesters tried to stop ICE from transferring Martin Soto – who announced the strike – but officials said that they were able to move him to the Elizabeth contract detention facility. Demonstrators claimed that the incident unfolded early this morning outside Delaney Hall in Newark, which has been roiled by an ongoing hunger strike, ABC 7 reported . Protesters have stood outside Delaney Hall since Friday. Tensions mounted late on Sunday, however, when dozens of protesters heard that guards were preparing to move detainee Soto – who on Friday announced a hunger and work strike. The strike is demanding the immediate release of elderly and young detainees, as well as those with medical conditions, according to The City . Soto’s wife, Gabriela, has been organizing protests outside the facility. Gabriela , 28, tried visiting him on Sunday and as she was in the queue, spotted a man being pushed into a van. Some visitors to Delaney Hall told Gabriela, who is reportedly several months pregnant with their third child, that this was Martin and she rushed toward the vehicle, The City reported. “I was banging on the door of the van,” she told the news outlet. “I was not letting that happen.” “They were pulling and dragging him into the van,” she also told CBS News . …