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Newark Mayor and Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Ras Baraka filed a lawsuit Tuesday against interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba, accusing her of false arrest and malicious prosecution in connection with his May 9 arrest and charges outside a federal immigration center.
Baraka, a prominent figure in New Jersey politics and a potential Democratic gubernatorial candidate, alleged that his arrest on May 9 occurred during a protest against the federal immigration center. The incident took place near Newark Liberty International Airport, where Baraka was accused of trespassing and ignoring warnings from law enforcement to leave the premises.
The civil lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court in New Jersey, claims that Habba, the Trump appointee, acted with political motives in the arrest of Baraka. The U.S. attorney’s office initially moved to charge Baraka, but the case was dismissed 13 days later. According to the office, the decision was made ‘for the sake of moving forward,’ which has raised questions about the integrity of the legal process.
Baraka’s legal team is seeking damages for what they describe as a false arrest and malicious prosecution. The lawsuit includes screenshots of social media posts by Habba, which are claimed to be defamatory and damaging to Baraka’s reputation. The filing of the lawsuit is seen as a significant legal development, given Baraka’s prominent role in both local and state politics.
The allegations against Habba could have implications for the functioning of the judiciary, particularly given her status as a Trump appointee. The case highlights the potential for political influence in legal proceedings, as well as the importance of due process in law enforcement.
RELATED STORIES: In other news, the Trump Department of Justice is investigating the Biden administration’s pardons of family members and death row inmates. Additionally, a witness has described the horrific scene of a terror attack at a pro-Israel rally in Boulder, Colorado, which has sparked a nationwide debate on security and political extremism.