New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill admitted that masked agitators involved in protests outside the Delaney Hall ICE detention facility engaged in violent conduct against law enforcement, saying she does not know “what they wanted to accomplish” by attacking police.

In a statement released following the Newark facility riot, Sherrill acknowledged that masked agitators breached barriers in a designated protest area and carried out what she described as “aggressive and dangerous actions” against officers from the Newark Police Department and New Jersey State Police.

“Last night, masked individuals at Delaney Hall attacked the barrier in the protected protest area and began aggressive and dangerous actions against Newark and New Jersey State Police, including throwing projectiles, utilizing the barriers as weapons, and lighting tires on fire in the street,” Sherrill said.

The governor said the actions endangered both demonstrators and law enforcement officers. According to Sherrill, police assigned to the area were not wearing riot gear and had been stationed there since early in the day to ensure protesters and counterprotesters could demonstrate safely.

“As these dangerous actions took place, additional support was needed to protect civilians and law enforcement,” she said.

Sherrill nevertheless reiterated her opposition to ICE operations in New Jersey.

“My number one priority will always be public safety, and I remain dedicated to protecting constitutional rights. We simply cannot let ICE surge into our community,” she stated.

The governor also acknowledged uncertainty regarding the motives behind the violence. “I do not know why these individuals attacked or what they wanted to accomplish,” Sherrill said.

She added that the actions should not distract from broader efforts aimed at opposing ICE detention operations and advocating on behalf of detainees housed at Delaney Hall. “I refuse to let these dangerous actions detract from New Jersey’s dedication to ensuring public safety, keeping people safe from ICE, and that the people detained inside Delaney Hall are treated with dignity,” Sherrill said.

“While NJSP and Newark PD continue to keep the area secure, I once again urge everyone who shares these goals to work together to bring the temperature down,” she said. “We must focus on advocating for better conditions for the detainees, for their families, and ultimately, for the closure of Delaney Hall, as well as to protect the many peaceful protestors who continue to make this their mission.”