Tacoma, WA – Over 20 community members came together, May 16, to do a canvassing blitz to fight for a stronger climate commission. The crowd gathered around 1 p.m. chanting, “One struggle, one fight! Climate justice, workers’ rights!” and how they would “Stand up and fight back!” against pollution.

One volunteer from Climate Alliance of the South Sound (CASS), Claire Thomas, commented, “The people of Tacoma should have a say in how their environment looks and how green their spaces are, and what's poisoning their land and what isn't.”

People gathered before canvassing for a rally with music and speeches. The speakers highlighted the local U.S. Oil refinery that has been out of compliance with the Clean Water Act (CWA) for over three years. That means polluted storm water runs directly into the local waterway, contaminating water and wildlife.

“We are fighting for indigenous sovereignty, and our main focus is the businesses that are polluting our waterways,” another attendee said, referring to the fact that the U.S. Oil refinery is on the Puyallup Tribe of Indians reservation.

Local president of the Port of Tacoma Commission, John McCarthy, was identified by the emcee as an important target in the fight against water pollution. Attendees emphasized how a strong Climate Commission should be able to enforce the existing laws, including the CWA that is being ignored by U.S. Oil.

“Having a community-controlled climate commission would be pivotal for Tacoma and change the dynamics of who controls the health and wellbeing of our very own community. Tacomans would have a direct say in who is safeguarding public health,” said the event's day-of lead Abbie Baughman.

Despite shifting weather conditions, the people who canvassed showed endurance and passion by blitzing an eight-block radius around a local park. Canvassers gathered sheets of signatures for the petition for a strong climate commission.

Baughman summed up the community’s demands, saying, “I want the climate commission to enforce science-based limitations on corporate pollution and zoning laws that leave Tacoma’s marginalized communities at the mercy of the highest corporate bidder. Real estate development that is bad for the people is permitted under the guise of bringing jobs, and improving the local economy, and those things do not have to happen at the expense of Tacoma’s health and tree canopy.”

#TacomaWA #WA #Environment #CASS

Tacoma, WA – Dozens of protesters rallied and marched for a strong climate commission in Tacoma, Washington in observation of Earth Day, April 18.

The crowd carried picket signs demanding a “strong climate commission” and “system change not climate change” as they marched from Point Defiance to Dune Park. Chants like “Cut the carbon emissions! Empower the climate commission!” echoed through the parks.

“The 'end of living' mentioned by the ancestors is not a distant threat – it is the reality of our current path if we do not act,” said River Bandi, a member of the Ojibwe Nation and the Climate Alliance of the South Sound. “Let us leave this rally not just with signs, but with a vow: to act like we belong to the Earth. To protect the web as if our lives depend on it – because they do.”

Dune Park is built on a remediated Superfund site, the historic site of the Asarco copper smelter which spewed dangerous heavy metals and chemicals all over the South Sound region for nearly 100 years.

Attendees highlighted the importance of workers’ rights, indigenous sovereignty and climate justice. The city’s climate commission currently has no legal power and big businesses in Tacoma routinely take full advantage by violating treaty rights and polluting working-class communities, as well as building and maintaining projects in the interest of profit rather than the people of Tacoma.

“The oversight and policy we need in Tacoma to protect our air, land, water, and to protect us from a climate catastrophe doesn't exist,” stated Phil Harty, another member of CASS. “We demand a strong climate commission that can fight back against all attacks on the environment, that can respect the treaties and Indigenous sovereignty, that can ensure green jobs, and that protects the trees of Tacoma.”

A wide range of community organizations were represented at the march, and speakers highlighted the need for uniting together to fight against the big corporations driving environmental disaster in Tacoma and beyond.

“It's clear this climate catastrophe isn't an accident; it's a direct result of the system that we live under. U.S. monopoly capitalists profit, while the working people of the world face the consequences,” said Ari Pahoundis, an organizer with Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

The fight for a strong climate commission continues as community members gear up to launch a citizen’s initiative to get the issue on the ballot in 2027.

#TacomaWA #WA #Environment #EarthDay #CASS

Tacoma, WA – On February 6, 375 students walked out from Washington High School and Keithley Middle School before the final class period of the day, joining the movement of students across the country who are standing up to ICE.

As the bell rang students began to gather outside in the sun holding Mexican, Guatemalan, Puerto Rican, Columbian, Brazilian and Honduran flags. Washington High School junior Madyson Smith addressed her fellow classmates with a Puerto Rican flag around her neck saying, they were all together to “stand up for not only our Hispanic community, but everyone else who is affected.”

This action is one of many in the greater Tacoma area. In recent weeks. There have been many walkouts at high and middle schools including at Franklin Pierce, Graham-Kapowskin, Stadium, Silas, Annie Wright, Rogers and more.

“Our community in Tacoma/Parkland is in fear of ICE. Washington High School is a very diverse campus with almost 40% of students being Hispanic,” Smith said. “We want our school district to be more aware of what’s going on and practice our anti-ICE policies more and make school a safe space for students!”

In preparation for the walkout students had sign-making parties and meetings with supporters. They tasked local organizations including Pierce County Immigration Alliance (PCIA), Climate Alliance South Sound (CASS), Philippines US Solidarity Organization (PUSO) Tacoma, Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), and Rainier View Christian Church with ways to materially support them, including providing snacks and water and on-the-ground support.

When asking FRSO member Ari Pahoundis why they showed up to support they shared, “It's so inspiring to see the next generation of organizers taking to the streets to speak out for their community. These students are going to be out here either way, and we have a responsibility to do what we can to support them.”

A group of volunteers helped block off a side road from incoming traffic so that the students could safely march from the parking lot towards the main road. One of those volunteers, Nick Miskogwane, member of PCIA Teamsters 313 said, “I think it’s crucial we support and teach our youth the importance of free speech and democracy – for [them] to learn the power they have.”

The electric crowd of students marched farther than originally planned, fearlessly taking over a lane on the main road and totaling 1.2 miles round trip. Parents and community members drove by honking and waving flags in support and many joined on foot to help direct traffic. Madyson, Felix, and more helped lead their classmates in chants including, “No justice! No peace! Get ICE off our streets!”

The march wrapped up with students arriving back on campus to catch their buses, greeted by supportive parents and staff. Students also continued to celebrate their cultures, playing Mexican music and dancing Huapango in the parking lot.

An on-the-ground volunteer with CASS and local doula Jessica Whitson said, “These kids will be adults soon and they should have their voices heard and get a say about the systems that impact them. They were brave and energized, marching together making it loud and clear they want ICE off their streets. The teachers that know these kids were so incredibly proud of their students, many shedding tears of joy as the kids marched and made their voices heard.”

When asked about the impact this action had on her fellow classmates, organizer Smith said, “Students before the protest were in a stage of fear — kids weren’t coming to school. After the protest everyone is hyped and lowkey happy about how it turned out.”

#TacomaWA #WA #ImmigrantRights #StudentMovement #HighSchool #PCIA #PUSO #FRSO #CASS

Tacoma, WA – Over 1000 people gathered in Tacoma’s Firefighters Park, January 24, to protest the racist Trump administration. Protesters waved signs reading, “Fight for workers and immigrants’ rights” and “ICE out of Tacoma” while chants of “One struggle, one fight: immigrant justice, worker’s rights!” filled the air.

Amelia Escobedo of the Brown Berets said, “The reason I'm out here today, even though I'm recovering from a hysterectomy, is that my people matter. Our people matter. And if we're not out here raising our voices, nobody else is going to do it for us.”

Speakers from many of the 25 endorsing organizations rallied with the crowd before taking to the streets. “Fight back!” echoed throughout downtown as the march took a major thoroughfare, marching from the park to the nearby federal building.

“I'm out here in the streets today because I at first was very fearful seeing everything that ICE was doing, like killing people and attacking my people as an indigenous Latina,” said Julia Bobadillo, one of the speakers with the 28th Legislative Democrats. “And so I'm out here because I wanted to not be fearful.”

Bobadillo spoke and offered indigenous drumming and song to a crowd so large it would not fit in the plaza outside the federal building. Protesters spilled into the street to listen to more speakers talk on the importance of immigration justice and the fight for socialism in the United States.

“Trump's escalating attacks on the people make it clearer and clearer that they do not care if they have to kill us to get theirs!” said Moon Gosserand, with Freedom Road Socialist Organization, to an enthusiastic crowd. “To change this system, we don't need small reforms, we need a revolution! We need a party to be built for and by the people! One that stands for the multinational working class!”

This march, which had been planned for over a month, took on a special character in response to yet another murder by ICE agents in Minneapolis that same morning. Many protesters brought their entire families, including babies, children and elders.

“My son came home one day from school asking, ‘Why Is Trump targeting us?’ If I don't fight for my son, these kids, who else is going to fight for them?” said attendee Alfredo Villegas, member of Laborers' Union, “I'm a native of Tacoma, Washington. Native American, also First Nations, and Mexican. And as a member of this community, if there's no voice, then nothing will be seen or heard.”

Amelia Escobedo said, “We have to do it for us. We have to do it for our babies. We have to do it to make sure that our people know that we have their back, because right now we're under attack.” Her husband Chris Escobedo, also with the Brown Berets, added, “We had to show support, because what's happening in the country, especially with the kids getting taken and things like that, it's taking it too far. We’ve got to stop it now.”

“We are going to keep up the fight” said Jami Cortes, one of the lead organizers of the event with Climate Alliance of the South Sound. “We are prepared to march for International Women’s Day, Earth Day, May day, and every day until we see an end to this rotten system and the liberation of the planet and her people.”

#TacomaWA #WA #ImmigrantRights #ICE #Labor #FRSO #CASS