36 Jewish Activists Arrested Protesting ICE In Elizabeth (VIDEO)

ELIZABETH, NJ — Police arrested three dozen activists during an ICE-related protest at a jail in Union County on Sunday, reports say.

Comparing the ongoing imprisonment of undocumented immigrants to the atrocities seen during the Holocaust, the 36 arrestees – all Jewish members of Never Again Action – blocked entrances at the Elizabeth Contract Detention Facility, which houses federal detainees for ICE.

Organizers estimated that 200 people showed up at the prison on Sunday.

The group didn’t have a permit to protest. Ultimately, 36 of them were charged with obstruction of a public passage, issued city ordinance summonses and released, an Elizabeth city spokesperson told NJ.com.

Here’s why the group put their freedom on the line Sunday, according to their Facebook page:

“As Jews, we cannot sit and watch as ICE terrorizes immigrant families, separating children from their parents and detaining them in deplorable conditions. As Jews, we know that #NeverAgainIsNow. Until our politicians cease their violent rhetoric, take drastic action to shut down ICE, and create safe conditions for immigrants and asylum seekers, we will make it impossible for ICE to do business as usual.”

An online fundraiser to help pay for the protesters’ bail and court costs has raised $118,791 from 2,827 donors as of Tuesday. Here’s how to make a donation.

According to the group, “more actions are being planned from coast to coast” in the wake of Sunday’s protest.

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The incident gained the attention of U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), who tweeted:

“Also deserving of our attention and support: 36 young Jewish activists were arrested today for nonviolent direct action against migrant conditions in Elizabeth, NJ… Direct actions of profound solidarity, just like these, hold enormous power to change our country.”

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