{"id":27505,"date":"2025-05-16T11:03:41","date_gmt":"2025-05-16T15:03:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/news\/?p=27505"},"modified":"2025-05-16T11:03:41","modified_gmt":"2025-05-16T15:03:41","slug":"newark-mayor-compares-arrest-to-biblical-david-moment-after-ice-protest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/news\/2025\/05\/newark-mayor-compares-arrest-to-biblical-david-moment-after-ice-protest","title":{"rendered":"Newark Mayor Compares Arrest to Biblical ‘David Moment’ After ICE Protest"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Andre Burger | Inset cityofnewarknj \/ Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Ras Baraka has sparked controversy and drawn comparisons to a biblical hero following his arrest at a federal immigration center last week. Addressing supporters at a political rally on Tuesday, Baraka compared his situation to King David’s battle with Goliath, calling it “our David moment.”<\/p>\n

Speaking to a crowd of several dozen in his hometown, Baraka argued that his arrest at Delaney Hall, a federal immigration detention center, was a moment of courage and conviction. “Many of us miss our David moment because we [are] trying to run away from confrontation and controversy,” Baraka said. “But your crowd lives in the middle of controversy. The thing that has been promised to you is surrounded by high walls, and the gates are guarded by giants. If you’re running from conflict and controversy, then you’ll never get what’s promised of you. This is our David moment.”<\/p>\n

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A post shared by City of Newark, NJ – City Hall (@cityofnewarknj)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n