Martin Luther King Jr. U.S. District Courthouse, Newark/photo by Carmen Natale

Demonstrations in New Jersey over the death of George Floyd remained peaceful over the weekend in most cases, according to reports, but the phased reopening of federal court facilities in the state, scheduled to begin today, will be postponed one week.

An email late Sunday afternoon from U.S. District Chief Judge Freda Wolfson of the District of New Jersey said she and other court leaders had decided to instead begin "Phase 1″ of the reopening June 8 in the district, which includes the Newark, Camden and Trenton vicinages.

"In light of the protests that have been happening nation-wide, including within our state, after communication with Chief Judge Smith of the Third Circuit and in consultation with William T. Walsh, Clerk , Judge Shipp and the Court Security Committee, Chief Judge Michael Kaplan of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, along with U.S. Marshal Juan Matos, Phase One of the District Court's Recovery Plan will be pushed forward to June 8th," Wolfson wrote in the email, which was shared with the Law Journal. "Until then, no one will be permitted in any of the three courthouses."

Wolfson added, "This decision is to ensure the utmost safety of our Judges and members of the Court family. We appreciate everyone's cooperation in following this directive."

Reports over the weekend indicated that protests in New Jersey's cities were peaceful, though violence in Trenton's protest later in the day on Sunday was reported.

The district's recovery plan, approved by the board of judges May 19, includes a phased reopening procedure. The described goal of phase one in the guidelines "is for courthouse personnel to gradually return to the courthouses. Before we can open to the public, it is imperative that our chambers, staff, officers, and employees safely transition back into the courthouse workspaces. Courthouse personnel must begin to navigate and develop a level of comfort in the courthouse spaces under the new safety protocols before we can welcome the public. Accordingly, courthouse operations and the scope of work should continue in Phase I in the same manner as they are presently operating. All proceedings should continue to be held by video and teleconference. In Phase I, courts should continue to limit proceedings and must not expand beyond the types of proceedings currently conducted."

Wolfson couldn't be reached by email Monday. Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey president Edward Kole didn't immediately provide a comment on the postponement.

Wolfson, Kole and others on Monday took part in a swearing-in ceremony for new attorneys—a virtual ceremony held remotely because of ongoing social-distancing measures amid COVID-19.

According to a release late Monday from the Administrative Office of the New Jersey Courts, 37 new attorneys were sworn in during the ceremony by state Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner.

"Have in mind that one day hopefully soon, when the pandemic ends, you'll stand in front of judges and juries in courtrooms, advocate for clients, and make notable contributions to the cause of justice in our state and society at a time that we desperately need to see justice done—to see the cause of justice served," Rabner said during the ceremony, according to the AOC's release. "Those clients and the legal system as a whole will benefit from your advocacy and professionalism, and from the fresh perspective that you bring to the problems we now face."