ELIZABETH — Police arrested 36 Jewish protesters outside the Elizabeth immigration detention facility who are now facing charges of obstruction of public passage.

The demonstrators were part of a larger group of Jewish advocates who on Sunday evening descended on the Elizabeth Contract Detention Facility, a private center that houses about 300 immigrant detainees for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.

The facility, which is run by Core Civic, has been the site of several protests and vigils in recent years by advocates who opposed stricter immigration policies implemented by the Trump administration and demanded the release of those detained inside.

Elizabeth police Lt. Michael Kelly said the protesters had blocked the road, not allowing trucks from nearby businesses to leave or enter, which is what prompted officers to make arrests.

"They would not leave after repeated requests,'' Kelly said. "They just wouldn't give way to let the trucks get in and out of the street."

A staff member at the Elizabeth Municipal Court said the protesters were arraigned Monday morning. Sophie Elllman-Golan, of the organizing group, said that all pleaded not guilty and were given a new court date.

Organizers of the protest, Never Again Action, said 200 participated in the demonstration, which aimed to demand that elected officials close what they termed "concentration camps,'' meaning the immigration detention facilities near the southwest border, which have been at the center of reports of inadequate housing for children, and that the government stop funding ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

News:Will three county jails in NJ keep referring immigrants to ICE for deportation?

Cold Case NJ:5 unsolved murders that shocked, mystified New Jersey

Watchdog:New owners to take over Wanaque nursing home where 11 children died in virus outbreak

"I'm a Jewish Latina,'' said Tae Phoenix, one of those arrested, in a statement released by the group. "The military camps where my people are being held today are concentration camps; just like the camps my people were held in 75 years ago were concentration camps."

During a Facebook Live broadcast of the demonstration, protesters could be seen marching outside the facility, listening to testimonials from immigrants, and chanting and singing.

"Stand up, fight back,'' they could be heard saying on the video. "Shut it down."

Kelly said those arrested were issued summonses and released. He said they were given a court date for Monday.