American congresswoman charged with assault

The charges are being pressed after a skirmish at an ICE center, prosecutor says.

What is happening?

Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver, 38, is being charged with assault, New Jersey prosecutor says.

Why is she being charged?

According to AP, McIver is being charged after af skirmish with federal officers occured outside an immigration detention center.

3 charges in total

Interim U.S. Attorney, Alina Habba, wrote on socal media, that McIver is not only facing charges for assault, but also for impeding and interfering with law enforcement.

Court papers providing details were not immediately released, however.

Mayor arrested

Homeland Security Department has released a two minute videoclip showing McIver on the facility side of a chain-link fence, moments before the arrest of Newark Mayor, Ras Baraka.

It was the arrest of the mayor that led to the incident for which McIver is now being charged.

Surrounding the mayor

In the video, McIver and uniformed officials go through a gate in the chain-link fence. She joins in shouting “surround the mayor”.

At one point, first McIvers left elbow followed by her right elbow push an officer wearing an olive green uniform with “Police” written on it.

It is not clear if the push is intentional or incidental.

Charges against mayor dropped

Newark Mayor, Ras Baraka, faced misdemeanor charges after the incident at the ICE center, but at the same time as Habba announced the charges against McIver, it was also revealed that the charges against Baraka was dismissed.

Denies wrongdoing

McIver herself denies any wrongdoing. Instead she accuses federal agents of escalating the situation when they arrested Baraka.

“This administration will never stop me from working for the people in our district and standing up for what is right,” she said in a statement.

Support from Baraka

Ras Baraka said in an email to AP, that he was glad to have the charges against him dismissed, and that he fully expect McIver to be vindicated.