Delaney Hall · Field Guide

Delaney Hall Risk Guide

Whatever you choose, come to DH to meet great people and build the relationships and networks we will need in our multi-year struggle.

These are personal observations, not professional or organizational advice. The author is not qualified in any of these areas and does not speak for any organization. Read the guide, decide your own risk level, and match your activities to your tolerance.

Before you decideShould you protest at Delaney Hall?

The Radical Hospitality Tent (RHT), Eyes on ICE, and Pax Christi are amazing people who deserve every accolade we can bestow on them. They are fully committed to helping the detainees and their families. Nothing here is black or white — only you can weigh these trade-offs for yourself.

The case for not protesting

Any effective protest directed at ICE or GEO is likely to hurt the detainees and families. GEO has cancelled family visitations without objection from elected officials.

If you believe in “Do No Harm”: support the RHT, engage only in Tier 0 activities, and support protests elsewhere.

The case for protesting

Sustained non-violent protest is the only proven way to stop future abductions and close these camps — ICE left LA and MN after similar protests. Protesters have kept roughly 20 ICE agents at DH instead of on the streets, and are documenting ICE/GEO conduct for future prosecutions.

Are these reasons worth the harm to detainees and families? Only you can answer that.

If you choose non-violent protest Accept the risks to detainees and families, and match your activities to your risk tolerance. Non-violent means you are not violent — it does not guarantee ICE won't be violent toward you. This guide is meant to help you minimize these risks.

The four tiersMatch activities to your risk tolerance

0 Lowest risk · most important

The least risk, but the most important contribution.

PPE: Not required

What you can do

  • Check Radical Hospitality Tent (RHT) visiting hours and arrive about an hour before.
  • Bring donations — especially diapers and gift cards; check other RHT needs.
  • Go with a group scheduled to bring food, coffee, or doughnuts for families.
  • Introduce yourself and ask how you can help. Common tasks: setting up and cleaning up food, helping families with “compliance” clothes, translation, and answering questions.
  • Respect the RHT and leave if asked. Offer to carry out a bag of trash when you go.
  • Never protest near the RHT, and never return to the RHT after you have protested.
  • When no protesters are in the driveway (usually daytime): hold a “Honk and Wave” sign, walk around, and meet truly wonderful people.
Personal warning The author was tear-gassed by state troopers while engaged in only Tier 0 activities. Troopers can be worse than ICE — if you see them, leave. Events change quickly; leave immediately to stay at Tier 0.
1 More risk · still relatively safe

More risk, but still relatively safe. Leave at any sign of drama.

PPE: Required if you have allergies or asthma (pepper spray can linger); otherwise optional

What you can do

  • Bear witness, be seen, and show our numbers.
  • Stay across the street and away from the gate.
  • Hold a “Honk and Wave” sign.
  • Walk around, introduce yourself, and meet truly wonderful people.
2 Prepared & composed only

Can be safe if you are prepared and can control your emotions.

PPE: Required — keep it around your neck, worn before the gate opens

What you can do

  • Bear witness to ICE brutality.
  • Show our numbers so that more ICE agents must remain at DH.
  • Stay far behind protesters going face to face with ICE or GEO.
  • Help spot traffic during ICE shift changes to protect protesters.
Know the line ICE may randomly pick a person to brutalize. It is unlikely to be you across the street, but it is not guaranteed. If you stand next to ICE or shout near them, you are at Tier 3 and risk being maced, pepper sprayed, and beaten.
3 Highest risk

The author is not qualified to provide advice for this tier.

Bear witness: be willing to record or be recorded. We will document their crimes and hold them accountable.

Beginner's guideNever been to DH?

Why go to Delaney Hall?

Large peaceful protests worked against ICE in LA, MN, and Chicago. Going helps fight abductions and concentration camps — and lets you meet amazing people in real life. Large numbers keep us safer, amplify our message, and leverage our power.

I've never been. Is it safe?

Yes, with caveats. The risk tiers above match activities to your tolerance, and engaging in only Tier 0 activities is the safest.

How can it be safe when I see violence on social media?

ICE is committing violence against protesters. DH becomes dangerous when protesters block cars and ICE unjustifiably brutalizes them. This guide helps you avoid those flashpoints while still supporting the protesters and showing the power of peaceful dissent.

I'm worried things will get out of control like Father's Day.

DH is volatile. This guide exists because new people were standing near the gates that day without PPE and without understanding the risks they were taking. It explains the areas that can change from calm to dangerous quickly.

What should I watch for to stay safe?

Decide your risk level before you go. Know yourself — if you witness brutality, you may be tempted into activities you're not prepared for. De-escalate yourself, not ICE and not other protesters, and stay within your chosen tier.

On the groundBest practices

  1. Parking: the Essex County Correctional Facility (ECCF) lot. Signs say it's for ECCF only, so there's some risk, but no parking issues have been reported.
  2. Go with a friend.
  3. Facilities: port-a-potties are behind the RHT, and the Pilot gas station has regular toilets.
  4. Signs: protest signs are available at the tents south of the gate.
  5. Say hello: walk to the tents south of the gate and introduce yourself — they're friendly, supportive people.
  6. Have fun. You will feel good afterward.
If you engage in Tier 2+ activities
  • Check in with someone remote when you arrive and when you leave.
  • Give that person your emergency contact information.
  • Do not carry anything valuable.
  • Turn off biometrics on your phone.