Bellevue, WA – On Tuesday evening, May 2, the Bellevue City Council voted to adopt an ordinance making protests at U.S. Congressman Adam Smith’s house illegal. The ordinance changes the city’s definition of criminal conduct to include targeted residential protests.

The ordinance states that any gathering of people “with four or more persons” in a protest that is “targeted, directed or focused at a particular occupant of the residence” would be a gross misdemeanor. “Protest means any protest, demonstration or picketing activity including but not limited to marching, congregating, standing, posting, parading, demonstrating, picketing, with our without signs, with or without making audible or amplified noise.” A gross misdemeanor of this kind can carry a year-long jail sentence and a $5000 fine.

This ordinance comes after a sustained campaign against Adam Smith, House representative for Washington’s 9th congressional district. In protest of Smith’s failure to halt the flow of U.S. military aid to Israel or to withhold U.S. taxpayer dollars from being spent on Trump’s war on Iran, members of Seattle Against War, Troublemakers, and BDS Seattle, with support from other community members, have repeatedly shown up at Smith’s house in Bellevue to present their demands.

The protests in the rich Bellevue suburb were protected under First Amendment rights to protest, occurred during daylight hours, and abided by the noise ordinances against the use of amplified sound. Protesters held up banners that read, “Your rep funds genocide!” and signs that call out Adam Smith as a warmonger and a war profiteer.

Speaking against the ordinance at the city council meeting, Joseph Ostheller, a member of Seattle Against War, said, “We have been to his office, which he is never in. We have been to his town halls, which he censors. We have been to his speaking events, which he releases without adequate time to attend. He has systematically closed off all avenues for us to speak to him directly and to have our concerns heard. The escalation to be at his house is because he leaves us no other options.”

Zionists packed the city council meeting to support the ordinance. One speaker for the ordinance, who called himself David E., said he was a proud Zionist. The president of the HOA in Adam Smith’s neighborhood, claimed falsely that protesters “were like a mob, using blow horns at 2 a.m.” The composition of the meeting, Zionists and rich neighbors of Adam Smith, showed this ordinance was dreamt up by a small group of people in power using their connections to weaponize the legal processes. The ordinance is in direct response to the targeted protests against Adam Smith, and he has called in his Zionist friends and the city council to construct another barrier between the people in power and those impacted by their decisions.

The city attorney spoke to the council and explained to them how the ordinance was drafted and the legal rationale for its implementation. The city manager and the city attorney were asked to come up with this ordinance to criminalize free speech on behalf of “those affected.”

After the comment period, the Zionists and their allies left the meeting, not staying the extra two hours until the study session and the subsequent vote on the issue. Activists against the ordinance stayed until the very end, when the council read out the reasons why they were voting to shut down people’s democratic right to protest.

One council member, Lynne Robinson, said, without providing detail, “I have been the target of harassment and know how scary it can be.” It goes without saying that even before this ordinance passed, targeted harassment, stalking, and death threats were all already illegal. Another council member, Claire Sumadiwirya, said, “This is such a hard decision, but I have to protect my family,” even though they had not been the target of any such protests. Both voted in favor of the ordinance.

The ordinance will go into effect in one month.

Activists were not surprised by the result, as city council meetings are notoriously opaque. The real decisions are often made behind closed doors, with public comment being performative at best. Nevertheless, activists left in high spirits, because these attacks only show how weak and afraid those in power really are in the face of the power of the people.

Protests at Smith’s home will continue, bigger and louder than before, until the ordinance takes effect in June. Seattle Against War will also be exploring every avenue to challenge this new roadblock.

#BellevueWA #WA #SeattleAgainstWar #PeoplesStruggles #AntiWarMovement

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 – Several hundred people took to the streets of Tacoma on May 1 to rally for immigrants and workers’ rights. The crowd gathered around 4 p.m. and began chanting with messages such as “Stand up and shut it down, Tacoma is a union town!” and “Power to the people! No one is illegal!” Energy was high, and the mood of the event was celebratory.

The rally opened on Tacoma’s downtown Theater Plaza, with speeches from union members, immigrant rights activists, and tenant organizers. Nearly 40 organizations endorsed the event, including Teamsters Local 117, Washington State Nurses Association, Indivisible Tacoma, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Malaya Tacoma, and many more.

“I think May Day is the sickest holiday ever created,” said one attendee, Edgar Alvarez. “I’m here to contribute to the workers’ movement first and foremost. We’re in a spot right now where we need to start building momentum.”

The program at Theater Square concluded with a performance of Solidarity Forever by local protest band Bugs for Change. The crowd then moved into the street and marched first up the hill to Tacoma City Hall.

The crowd continued with chants such as “Union jobs and education, we will fight for liberation!” and “Stop the deportations!”

“Immigrant workers were on the front lines of the Haymarket affair, they were on the front lines of the 2006 megamarches and continue to be on the front lines of labor struggles across the country,” said Rie Guerrero of Pierce County Immigration Alliance. “The reason we’re stopping here at Tacoma City Hall is because one of the entities reaping profits from the abuse of our immigrant neighbors is our very own city government. The city of Tacoma has invested its retirement system in a mutual fund that has holdings in GEO Group, meaning it has banked its employees' financial futures on the continued profitability of concentration camps like the Northwest Detention Center.”

After that rousing speech, the crowd marched back down the hill towards the Northwest Detention Center (NWDC).

“We’re marching to demand justice for the immigrants that are in detainment in the NWDC,” said Moon Gosserand, emcee of the coalition event. “We must always, even if we don’t know them personally, stand up for the people that need it.”

The planned route to the NWDC crossed Tacoma’s 11th Street bridge, and, as protesters approached the bridge, members of the Tacoma Police Department started forming barricades to block the marchers from continuing on their route. However, the marshal team refused to turn back and pushed through. Eventually the police relented and the protesters continued as planned, completely shutting down the 11th Street bridge.

Chanting continued as the crowd made their way to the NWDC, including chants such as ““When immigrant rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!” and “Shut it down! Shut it tight! Workers of the world unite!”

Upon arrival at the NWDC, the crowd continued chanting and the program resumed on the street outside the detention center. There were more songs and speeches, including one from Maximo Londonio, a member of Machinists (IAM) Local Lodge 695, who was imprisoned by ICE in May 2025.

One attendee reflected on the crowd which had marched nearly two miles from the starting location, “It’s really cool to see so many people from Tacoma uniting and showing up,” said Sterling Peel, a band leader with Bugs for Change and general member of Freedom Road Socialist Organization. “It really shows that this is a working-class town for the working-class people, and we have a strong working-class movement, and I love to see it.”

The program concluded with a song offered by members of Tangoll Migrante Movement which included the refrain “¡El pueblo unido jamás será vencido!” Many attendees vowed to continue fighting.

“Bottom line is, get in the streets!” said Alvarez. “If you’re not in the streets, get in the streets.”

#TacomaWA #WA #ImmigrantRights #Labor #MayDay

Seattle, WA – On May 1, Seattle's May Day march saw thousands of workers, students, immigrants, community organizations and other attendees gather at Cal Anderson Park to celebrate International Workers’ Day.

This year’s May Day march brought together the people’s movements. Leading the way was the workers movement, represented by labor unions as well as the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), and the movement for immigrant rights. Also represented was the anti-war movement under the slogan of “Services, not war!”

May 2026 nears the 18-month mark of the second Trump administration’s war on the working class. Since taking office, Trump and his followers in the government have carried out nonstop attacks on everything from wage protections to safety regulations to retaliation safeguards for farmworkers. One of the greatest assaults came last year when Trump signed an order ending collective bargaining rights for federal workers, weakening their ability to unionize.

In her May Day speech, April Sims, president of the Washington State Labor Council, stated, “it has always been us, the workers, against anti-worker politicians and the billionaires who pull their strings,” Sims said. “Those billionaires and those politicians don’t give a shit about us, about our dignity, about our rights. They want to suck us dry for profit. Work us to the bone, chew us up and spit us out.”

At the same time, the Trump administration has been escalating its war on immigrants. January of this year saw a regime of immigration terror descend on Minneapolis, Minnesota, which resulted in the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti at the hands of immigration agents. Here in Washington, immigration terror is most clearly seen at the Northwest Detention Center (NWDC) in Tacoma, which holds roughly 1600 people and is one of the largest detention centers in the country. In February of this year, a lawsuit was filed against GEO Group, which runs the NWDC, on behalf of detained people beaten and sexually assaulted by the NWDC jailers.

Connecting the shared struggle for immigrant and workers rights, Zenia Javalera, president of SEIU6, said, “Under the Trump administration, our immigrant communities and working families face constant attacks. The aggressive and inhumane ICE terror campaigns have torn families apart, violated people’s civil rights, detained workers, and have placed people on deportation flights, shackled into seats, flown thousands of miles away under conditions that no one should ever endure. And I want to share some information about these flights, because these flights are part of a cottage industry built for the benefit of companies like Avelo Airlines, GlobalX Air, Eastern Airlines and Omni Air International. They each are making millions off of these contracts!”

Trump has kept up the U.S. imperialist policy of war, genocidal sanctions, bombings, and assassinations against anti-imperialist states and movements in Iran, Lebanon, Palestine, Cuba and Venezuela. Trump’s deranged warmongering has brought about a global oil crisis, the effects of which are most strongly felt in Southeast Asia, but which also affect workers in the U.S. Average gas prices in Washington state have climbed to $5.57 per gallon. This added fuel cost will continue to drive inflation even higher, especially the price of food. With rising prices at the gas pump and at the grocery store, working people pay out of pocket for Trump’s wars.

Joel Schillinger, a member of Seattle Against War, said that the highly unpopular war on Iran, “has cost the U.S. taxpayers an estimated $1 billion per day, and has caused unimaginable suffering for the people of Iran. $1 billion per day for workers and families would be life-changing! Instead, U.S. workers are losing jobs, and families are struggling from losing life-saving services.”

But Trump’s attacks, far from cowing the labor movement and the movement for immigrant rights, have only done the opposite. With every assault, more and more people are saying, “Enough is enough.”

“The billionaires want us to feel powerless,” said April Sims. “But look around my friends. Are we powerless? Do we look powerless to you?” The celebration of May Day in Seattle is also a reminder that far from being separate issues, every attack on the working class is also an attack on immigrants, and every attack on immigrants is an attack on the working class.”

122 years ago, the Marxist revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin said, “In its struggle for power the proletariat has no other weapon but organization.” May Day is a yearly reminder that everything workers and the oppressed have won over the years, they won through militant organizing – in labor unions, in mass community defense and anti-war organizations, and ultimately in revolutionary communist parties that succeeded at putting political power itself in the hands of the workers.

The need for militant organization was echoed by the crowd of thousands at Seattle’s May Day march as they made their way through downtown Seattle chanting, “Union power on the rise! Now’s the time to organize!”

Many ask, “How or where do I organize?” At 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 3 at Cherry Street Village, FRSO will host a May Day panel on building labor militancy, the fight for immigrant rights, and the need for revolutionary organization. Anyone who wants to take the next step from showing up to fighting back should attend.

#SeattleWA #WA #Labor #ImmigrantRights #MayDay

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 Saturday, April 4, members of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) and the general public gathered at Wheelock Branch library to learn about and discuss the U.S. war on Iran and the growing anti-imperialist movement.

FRSO hosted the interactive seminar to discuss the destructive conflict with Iran and the oppressive sanctions imposed by the United States.

Speakers from Seattle and Tacoma fielded questions from the audience concerning the war on Iran and the region as a whole, emphasizing the resistance of oppressed and working-class people. The presentation discussed global and local anti-war efforts, with the audience of 40 chanting between sections, “Money for jobs and education, not for war and occupation!”

The presenters led an activity where the audience identified over 25 politicians and groups involved in the conflict as being either “friendly,” “enemy,” or “vacillating” in the fight against imperialism. The group identified “The Department of War” and “Netanyahu” among the enemies, and “The government of Iran” and “Ansar Allah (Houthis)” among the friendly forces.

“Iran is an anti-imperialist force in the world,” said Gloria Baughman, one of the four presenters.

#TacomaWA #WA #AntiWarMovement #Iran

Tacoma, WA – On March 31, over 30 people took to the streets to rally for transgender rights. Community members spoke on the importance of Transgender Day of Visibility, and how it intersects with the working class, climate justice, and indigenous sovereignty. After speeches, a short march, and an indigenous cultural offering from a two-spirit person, people filled the municipal building to speak during the city council meeting.

On the city’s agenda was a Transgender day of Visibility proclamation fought for by community organizers and signed by the mayor and city council.

This rally and march were called by the Freedom Road Socialist Organization and also came in response to a Supreme Court decision to re-legalize conversion therapy. Many community members feared how this could impact them at home and at work.

Haze Bender, a union warehouse worker with Teamsters Local 174, said, “Everything we do is informed and impacted by our relationship to production. As workers under capitalism, we have a lot more commonality than differences with the people we work alongside. Remember, most of our oppression is coming from the people above, rather than the people alongside us.” Bender stressed the importance of trans and working class solidarity.

“The United States government sent us [to boarding schools], along with all Indians, where they criminalized our languages, changed our names, and attempted to erase our way of being,” said River Bandi, a two-spirit speaker from the Ojibwa and Odawa First Nations. “They did not succeed. My existence is a testament to the resilience of my ancestors.”

“My mom told me growing up, if you marry another woman, or if you marry somebody that is not Latin, I will disown you,” said Amelia Isabel Escobedo, a two-spirit person with the Brown Berets. She rejected that narrow view, saying instead “You are a part of me and I am a part of you. And we are family.”

Tacomans made it clear that they would not sit down while the Trump administration continued to attack trans rights. After chants of “Trans rights now,” over ten people took the energy of the rally into city council chambers to demand material protections for trans people in Tacoma.

“So on this Transgender Day of Visibility, I ask you to do more than see us,” Dez Chalfant said to the city council in chambers. “Stand with us. Fight with us. Protect us. Because we are not going anywhere.” Chalfant is a rank-and-file member of UFCW 367 and a representative on the Pierce County Central Labor Council.

During the council meeting chants of “When trans rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up fight back!” echoed through the building, reminding the council that the residents of Tacoma is ready and willing to fight for trans people. The city of Tacoma passed the proclamation for Trans Day of Visibility.

#TacomaWA #WA #TransDayOfVisibility #LGBTQ #Trans #WomensMovement

Tacoma, WA – El 13 de marzo, más de 60 estudiantes salieron a las calles por una manifestación en la Plaza Tollefson para oponer la tiranía del presidente Trump en su comunidad. Los estudiantes se enfrentaron con el clima que traía nieve mientras ellos cantaron “Nieve, granizo, aguanieve, lluvia, no dejaremos que ICE nos venzca!”

Esta manifestación fue organizada por unos estudiantes secundarios de los distritos de Tacoma y de sus alrededores. Los estudiantes exigieron que la administración de sus escuelas se animaran a protegerlos durante las horas de operación de las escuelas y para defender de los ataques de ICE después de las horas de operación de la escuela.

Muchos de los estudiantes compartieron historias de cómo les ha impactado la presencia del ICE. Una estudiante llamada Charlotte Austin dijo, “Debemos dedicarnos a estudiar para las pruebas cumulativas y a la escuela, pero resulta que no podemos. Porque ciertas personas no tienen la oportunidad de presentarse en las pruebas cumulativas. Se roban de las calles. Se sacan de las escuelas; los niños llegan a sus hogares para ver que sus padres ya no están. El ICE hace que los niños no tengan hogar, que se separen las familias.”

De muchas formas, la crueldad del proceso de inmigracion de los EE.UU. ha causado reconocimiento a muchos estudiantes que las leyes son innecesarias. Las complicaciones de inmigracion ya se consideran como delito menor, todo para que el gobierno EE.UU pueda ocultar el derecho a la ayuda legal. Mientras tanto muchos secuestrados por ICE sufren condiciones peores que los de cualquier prisión típica. Tacoma tiene sitio en uno de los centros de detención más grandes en el estado de Washington. El Centro de Procesamiento de ICE del Noroeste se usa para encarcelar más de 1500 personas. En esta instalación, se reporta que a la gente le dan de comer comida mohosa, que le roban el sueldo, y que le cometen agresión sexual los empleados de Geo.

El Centro de Procesamiento de ICE del Noroeste está escondido entre varios almacenes y el ferrocarril, y los estudiantes le sienten mucha simpatía al sufrimiento del pueblo. Tras caminar fuera de la escuela con el clima todo helado, Austin dijo, “Es verdaderamente importante que la gente se presente, sin tener en cuenta el clima, porque el pueblo sufre suplicios aún peores en los centros de detención. Nosotros podemos quedarnos aquí por unas cuantas horas en la nieve.”

La congregación se planeó dentro de la semana que siguió la protesta principal y la marcha que honró la lucha por el Día Internacional de las Mujeres y una semana y media antes del día de No Reyes en Tacoma. Está claro que más personas en Tacoma se preparan y se organizan para salir a las calles para pelear contra el imperialismo en cualquier forma que tiene.

#TacomaWA #WA #StudentMovement #ImmigrantRights

Seattle, WA — On March 26, eight members of Seattle Against War (SAW), along with allies in the anti-war movement, staged a sit-in at the office of Representative Adam Smith (WA-09). At time of writing, the sit-in is ongoing.

Representative Smith, who claims to oppose Trump’s attacks on Iran, has a track record of voting in favor of every war initiated since entering office in 1997.

“In keeping with this pattern,” wrote Seattle Against War in a press release issued simultaneously with the start of the action, “[Smith] has yet to back up his empty words of opposition with so much as a single piece of action.”

As the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, Representative Smith is a critical player in the approval of military spending, meaning there are real levers of power he holds but does not pull. With the sit-in, SAW emphatically demands that Smith no longer avoid his responsibilities, but put actions behind his empty words and do everything in his power to halt the flow of money to Trump’s war on Iran.

To date, Smith has avoided SAW and refused to address the issues that the group has been bringing to his doorstep.

The United States and Israel’s attack on Iran, which has already cost $31 billion, eats up nearly $12,000 per second.

“The people of the 9th District will not stand idly by while their tax dollars are spent on the slaughtering of others, nor will they let a warmonger like Adam Smith work undisturbed to facilitate it,” said SAW in their press release.

Smith was in Washington D.C. at the time of the sit-in, but SAW members refused to let him off the hook so easily, demanding that his staffers get him on the phone so the group could present him with the following demands:

“Block all spending for Trump’s war on Iran, effective immediately.

“Exercise any and all power held, whether as the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee or as the Representative of Washington’s 9th Congressional District, to end the war on Iran.

“Exercise any and all power held to end the flow of arms to Israel and support an arms embargo.

“Immediately call a hearing for an investigation into U.S. and Israeli war crimes and demand accountability for all responsible.”

Rae Lee, chair of Seattle Against War said, “It is time for Adam Smith to stop talking about opposing Trump and start actually doing it,” adding, “To date, he has not shown himself capable. We demand action and an end to Representative Smith’s continued political and financial support of the illegal war on Iran as well as Israel’s ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people!”

#SeattleWA #WA #Iran #AntiWarMovement #SitIn #SAW #SeattleAgainstWar #Featured

Tacoma, WA – On March 13, over 60 students showed up for a rally in Tollefson Plaza protesting President Trump’s tyranny in their community. The students faced difficult weather that brought snow while they chanted “Rain, snow, sleet or hail, we will not let ICE prevail!”

This rally was organized by high school students from many schools in the Tacoma and surrounding school districts. The students demand that their schools’ administrations take more action at protecting them during school hours and to fight back against ICE terror after school hours.

Many students shared how the impact of ICE has influenced them. One student named Charlotte Austin said, “We should be focusing on finals and school, but instead we can’t. Because some people don’t get to do finals in school. They’re being stolen off the streets. They’re taken from schools; kids are coming home to their parents being gone. ICE is making children homeless, they’re separating families.”

In many ways, the cruelty of the U.S. immigration process has made students recognize how the laws are unnecessary. Immigration issues are considered a misdemeanor so that the U.S. government can withhold legal assistance. Yet many who are kidnapped by ICE face worse conditions then they would at any prison. Tacoma is home to one of the largest detention centers in the state of Washington. The Northwest ICE Processing Center is used to imprison over 1500 people. At this facility, people have been reported to have been fed moldy food, had their wages stolen [1], and have been sexually assaulted by Geo employees [2].

The Northwest ICE Processing Center is hidden between warehouses and train tracks, and the students are sympathetic to the people’s suffering. After walking out of school to protest in freezing conditions, Austin said, “It’s really important for people to show up, no matter the weather, because people are going through worse conditions in detention centers. We can show up for a couple of hours in the snow.”

This rally came less than a week after a protest and march honoring the fight for International Women’s Day and a week and half before No Kings in Tacoma. It is clear that more people in Tacoma are getting organized and prepared to take to the streets to fight against imperialism in all its forms.

[1] https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/geo-group-loses-latest-bid-nix-23-mln-verdict-over-immigrant-detainee-pay-2025-08-13/

[2] https://www.theurbanist.org/ice-tacoma-detention-center-targeted-in-lawsuit/

#TacomaWA #WA #ImmigrantRights #StudentMovement

Tacoma, WA – Over 300 people took to the streets on March 8, International Women’s Day, to fight back against women’s oppression. As the crowd marched to the city’s municipal building, they chanted “One struggle, one fight! Immigrant justice, women’s rights!”

Opening and closing the event, speeches and other performances highlighted the struggles of working women, emphasizing oppressed nationality and immigrant women. The event was organized by a coalition of more than 20 organizations.

“I feel like this is one little way that I can help, there’s many other ways that I do throughout my day that I try to help. It’s just really frustrating because there’s just so much that happens every day that you have to keep up on. Especially with ICE, people killing people, putting them in concentration camps,” said Chanel Squally Jensen, an attendee who is an enrolled member of the Puyallup Tribe.

“I am a transgender woman. I stand in solidarity with women everywhere. I stand with queer folk everywhere. With those who are oppressed, everywhere. It’s a fight that never ended, a battle that we are facing today together,” said Adora Day, member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, during speeches at Tollefson Plaza.

After speeches at Tollefson Plaza, the crowd began marching towards Ben Gilbert Park.

“As an LGBTQ member, it affects me, but everybody is affected by this. Whether you are female or not. It’s a systemic issue that affects all of us. I can’t just sit at home and do nothing. I’m here to try and help build the new world now. Build what we want it to look like now,” said Morgana Nighthawk.

“I’m marching to fight for women’s rights, all women; immigrant women, trans women, everyone,” said Erica Garrett, marching from Tollefson Plaza to Ben Gilbert Park. Marchers chanted: “Not the church, not the state! Women will decide our fate!”

After the march reached Ben Gilbert Park and gathered on the street, the community and organizers had more speeches and cultural offerings. Jullia Bobodilla and members of Climate Alliance of the South Sound shared a song honoring missing and murdered indigenous women. Speakers addressed the fight for women’s rights against anti-immigrant terror and against the national oppression of indigenous people. Before the march dispersed, organizers and attendees declared that they would continue to fight for workers, immigrants and women's rights.

#TacomaWA #WA #InternationalWomensDay #WomensMovement #LGBTQ #ImmigrantRights

Seattle, WA – On February 28, less than 24 hours after the start of the U.S.– Israeli military assault on Iran, 300 demonstrators turned out to Seattle’s famous Pike Place Market to protest this latest U.S. war.

The emergency protest was called by Seattle Against War (SAW) and supported by Nidal, Haebang, Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), and Students United for Palestinian Equality & Return (SUPER UW). Originally planned as a rally, the numbers and energy of the crowd prompted the organizers from SAW to reorganize the event into a march, reflecting the widespread popular opposition to this war.

The attack on Iran comes after other acts of aggression by the United States on Cuba and Venezuela. Speaking on behalf of Seattle Against War, Joseph Ostheller stated, “It is our duty here in the belly of the beast to resist every imperialist assault. There is not a single example of U.S. ‘intervention’ improving the situation of anyone, regardless of the complexities of their domestic situation. Our stance against imperialism is firm. It does not come with exclusions. The United States does not and never has deployed its military for humanitarian purposes.”

The Democratic Socialists of America’s speaker, Alex Mayben stated, “Has any country ever benefited from a U.S.-backed regime change? Countless nations destabilized by our country’s criminal actions now litter West Asia, North Africa, and Latin America, from Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon, to Libya, Somalia, and Sudan, to Costa Rica and Chile. The script for every U.S. operation is the same: unilateral sanctions, U.S.-sponsored protests, and if that fails, bombing campaigns and regime change.”

The speaker from Haebang Collective told the crowd, “The reality is, we’ve been in a new Cold War, a World War III. Before yesterday’s strike, Iran was already under crippling sanctions. Iran faced escalated military attacks as the U.S. and Israel worked overtime to facilitate a regime change against the sovereign government of Iran, as Iran's sovereignty stands in the way of U.S. imperialism and as Iran aids the Palestinian resistance.” 

A member of Nidal stated, “Since the revolution 47 years ago Iran has been an unwavering champion of the Palestinian cause. They’re the only state in the world that gives support to the Palestinian resistance not just with words or slogans but with weapons.” 

Chet Baughman from FRSO stated, “The despicable U.S. and Israeli bombing that killed elementary school girls today while preaching for decades that Iran is the one attacking women,” with the crowd responding with chants of “Shame!”

Baughman continued: “This is especially despicable as the Epstein files have been coming out and showing that the billionaire class is committing horrific attacks on women for decades.”

Baughman concluded, “What must be done? We must build a revolutionary movement. A movement that unites the many against the few.”

After the speeches finished, the crowd marched through Seattle’s downtown area, blocking traffic before returning triumphantly to Pike Place Market.

#SeattleWA #WA #AntiWarMovement #Iran #SAW

Tacoma, WA – On January 27, over 350 community members rallied outside the Tacoma Municipal Building before a city council meeting, to demand the Tacoma City Council ban ICE from the city. The crowd filled the city council chamber while maintaining a large presence outside the building for most of the council meeting.

The event was led by the Pierce County Immigration Alliance (PCIA), a grassroots, multinational immigrant rights organization. Rallygoers turned out to demand that the city council pass their proposed resolution to ban ICE activity in the city and to shut down the Northwest ICE Processing Center (NWIPC), more widely known by its previous name, the Northwest Detention Center (NWDC).

“It is one thing to say you are against ICE, but it is another thing to act swiftly on it. Nine people are gone so far in 2026 because of ICE,” said Matthew Caras, an organizer with PCIA, speaking on the urgency of their demands. He continued by leading the crowd to name each of those who have been killed by ICE agents within the first three weeks of this year. These names include Keith Porter Jr., Geraldo Lunas Campos, Victor Manuel Díaz, Parady La, Luis Beltrán Yáñez–Cruz, Heber Sánchez Domínguez, Luis Gustavo Núñez Cáceres, Renee Nicole Good, and Alex Pretti.

Caras continued, “These are our mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, aunts and uncles. Let’s show Tacoma what leadership against ICE looks like! Let’s show the nation what it means to protect our communities!”

The resolution also boasted endorsement by the Committee of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs of the City of Tacoma (CIRA), Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), International Migrants Alliance (IMA), and the Climate Alliance of the South Sound (CASS).

Gemini Gnull, a member of the Osage nation and of the FRSO spoke to the crowd, saying, “If you are Native American, if you are Black, if you are Chicano, if you are a worker, you share a common enemy. We can build a united front against monopoly capitalism! We can overthrow this system once and for all!” Soon after, rallygoers spilled off the sidewalk and into the street, chanting, “Power to the people, no one is illegal!” and “Fuck ICE!”

The marchers took to the streets simultaneously with the start of the council meeting, during which PCIA organizers demanded the passage of their resolution. The resolution contained two principal demands, reprinted here: first, “We demand that the Tacoma City Council pass a resolution that it does not recognize the authority of ICE to operate within the city,” and second, “We demand a condemnation of the NWDC and a promise from the Tacoma City Council that all opportunities to cease its operations in our city will be pursued. This Council and its Director of Finance can shut down the NWDC by revoking GEO’s license to kill!”

The event ended with rousing support for the resolution and demands that the city take meaningful action to protect the community from ICE, with a promise from the organizers and community to keep coming back until their demands are met.

For updates on further events follow: @pcia.wa

#TacomaWA #WA #ImmigrantRights

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 – On January 12, students at IDEA High School walked out of class to stand up against ICE in their community. Over 100 students marched to a busy intersection and then continued to circle the intersection marching in the crosswalks as passing drivers honked their horns in support.

the students carried signs and chanted together “ICE out! We won't go!” as they marched through the crosswalks. When the students returned to the school an hour later, they rallied again on the sidewalk in front of the building expressing their solidarity. This happened in the face of the administration telling them to stay off of school property.

When asked why the students are taking to the streets, Mathilda Cousin said, “I hate ICE, and I hate what they are doing with people. It's awful! They are taking people who are legal citizens, and they are trying to deport them for no reason.” Mathilda continued, “I come from a mixed cultural background and just thinking about if ICE tried to deport someone that I love, I hate that! And knowing that that has happened to people, I want to stand with them.”

When asked how students are affected by ICE, Roberto Damian Camacho said, “I'm here to protest ICE. It affects me because it's killing my people who did nothing wrong, and it's affecting my other people who don't feel safe to roam the streets anymore.”

Alexander Jacob-Michael Gillis said, “They deported my niece, who is a 9-year-old girl. She's from here. She was born in California, and they deported her all the way ‘back’ to Thailand even though she's not from there.” Alexander continued, “Our leaders aren't doing anything about this. They say they are, but I have seen no action so far. All I've seen is executions by ICE against innocent Americans who are using their First Amendment right to protest and to lawful assembly. It's just really sad.”

Valerian Garzón, a student who was photographing the event, when asked how ICE is affecting students, said, “A large population of the school is Hispanic, myself included. So for me and for a lot of kids at school it's something which has hit very close to home and affected a lot of our community members. I've seen ICE crawling around this neighborhood and around our school several times, as well as hearing stories of family members or community members that have been taken. So it's something that I think hits very close to home for a lot of people here.”

Ella Hibbard said, “I am out here protesting ICE in America and blatant murder and kidnapping of people who just wanna make a living.” Ella continued, “ICE affects my fellow students especially. Especially those who may not be able to have the correct documents. They are still people who belong in a community, and that community is with us and not in some fucked-up prison!”

#TacomaWA #WA #ImmigrantRights #StudentMovement #ICE #HighSchool

Tacoma, WA – Marching from school into the street, over 100 students from Silas High School walked out in the middle of the school day on February 2, to demand an end to anti-immigrant terror. After a series of walkouts, including several that happened this same day, the students bravely continued the fight against ICE.

When asked why students of Silas chose to walk out, highschooler Hayden Tucker-Burrell responded, “I think we decided to do this because the more people who do it, the bigger the movement. There's other schools doing this today as well, and we really want to get the message across that what's happening is not okay! And the fact they are coming to schools and taking children, and outright murdering people in the street, nothing about that is okay and should not be sanctioned by our government. So we decided to walk out to prove that.”

Natalie Grace, a student leading chants, when asked about the impacts of ICE on students said, “It makes me feel so unsafe and worried. They've killed people, and I have to say something about it.”

Ivy Anderson proudly stated, “We chose to walk out today because we've seen all the injustice that's been happening, and we've seen the people who've been murdered by ICE and we really don't stand for that. We want ICE out of our streets!” Anderson continued, “Everyone who has been murdered needs to have justice, and we think that this will help bring them justice and stop all the things that ICE is doing.”

#TacomaWA #WA #ImmigrantRights #StudentMovement #HighSchool #ICE

Tacoma, WA – On Monday, February 2, hundreds of students walked out of Stadium High School and marched to nearby Wright Park to fight back against ICE. Stadium is one of several high schools in the Tacoma area that coordinated a walk-out in protest of ICE on February 2.

“I was sick and tired of coming to school every day and hearing my friends talk about how they cry themselves to sleep, afraid that their families will be taken from them,” said one of the students who organized the event.

Students led chants of “No hate, no fear, no one is illegal here!” and “I-C-E, K-K-K, I-O-F, they're all the same!”, and held signs with messages such as “ICE out now!” and “Melt ICE.” For many people who attend the school, the attacks from ICE have hit close to home.

“I had a family friend actually get taken a couple weeks ago,” said Jack Tolliver, a student attending the rally. “What they're doing, it's not humane, it's not civil. It's just not fair.”

Tacoma residents have seen an increase in ICE sightings across the city, often in neighborhoods with a high concentration of oppressed nationalities.

“We decided to walk out today because I have lots of friends and family that are getting kicked out and getting arrested. I don't stand for that stuff, neither does my family. And I want to help support everybody,” said Addison Werner, another student attending the walk-out.

When asked about next steps, students expressed that they intend to continue fighting back to get ICE out of Tacoma. “I think I actually might show up to the Kick ICE Out of Tacoma thing,” Tolliver said, referring to an upcoming Pierce County Immigration Alliance (PCIA) rally at Tacoma City Council.

#TacomaWA #WA #ImmigrantRights #StudentMovement #HighSchool #PCIA

Graham, WA – on Thursday, January 29, over 200 high school students walked out in the middle of the school day in solidarity with the popular movement against ICE terror in Minneapolis. Students marched for two hours in the rain, defending each other from reactionary Trump supporters, and despite threats of repression from the school admin.

Chanting “Fuck ICE!” along the way, these students built a new level of struggle in this rural city in Pierce County, Washington, where Sheriff Keith Swank has threatened to crack down on youth and openly supports ICE.

Jocelyn Mendoza-Villalpando, a student protesting ICE terror, stated, “My mom is a Dreamer, she came here for a better opportunity in life. Two days ago, she got stopped by immigration because she looked different.” Mendoza-Villalpando continued, “I'm so happy she had her papers on her, because I don't know what I would have done if they took my mother away from me.”

When asked why the students walked out today, student Jennifer Muñoz proudly responded, “Because we think that everything that's happening with ICE is wrong, and no one is illegal on stolen land! Especially innocent immigrants who want a better life for themselves and their family.”

“Kids are scared to come to school,” reported Delaney Meyers. “My friend didn't come to school for three weeks because she was scared of ICE.”

Tina Olsen, parent of a protesting student, stated, “I think it is imperative that the students who are about to be voters are involved in what's happening in our society, and if they see something that's wrong and unjust, they need to do exactly what they're doing and use the power of their voices and their bodies to walk out of school. And it's equally important that we support our children!”

Leylani Ostos explained while marching with her sister and holding a Puerto Rican flag why she was walking out, “I come from immigrant parents, they came here legally. And yet ICE can come for my family and tear it apart.” She continued, “It's sad that we have to do this instead of the adults. It's sad that this generation now has to do this, because the people who were supposed to protect us failed us.”

Her sister Eliana Ostos added, “They don't care if I'm legal or not, they will come grab me if they want and send me ‘back’ to a country I wasn't born in!”

#GrahamWA #WA #ImmigrantRights #ICE #HighSchool #StudentMovement

Seattle, WA – Over 1500 protesters took to the streets of downtown Seattle on the evening of January 24 demanding justice for Alex Pretti, who was murdered in Minneapolis earlier that day.

The march came after a rally and vigil organized by the Seattle Alliance Against Racist Political Repression (SAARPR), Seattle Against War (SAW), Defund Musk, the International League of People’s Struggles (ILPS), The Defend Migrants Alliance, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), Indivisible Seattle, and the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO).

On the morning of January 24, Seattleites woke up to a host of disturbing videos showing the public execution of Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents with United States Border Patrol (USBP) in broad daylight. The obvious criminality of the act shocked all who witnessed it, and Seattle activists wasted no time calling for a public demonstration in opposition to continued federal attacks on the people.

The organizations chose to rally at the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building because it is the seat of federal power in Seattle, and the most obvious target for the people of Seattle to make a statement to the U.S. government that they will be held accountable. By 5:30 p.m. the crowd was several hundred strong and people were chanting “Justice for Alex Pretti” and “ICE out of Seattle.”

To open the rally program, AJ Daniels, a new member of SAARPR, said that this rally and vigil was a reaction to the unjustified killing of Alex Pretti, who should be an inspiration for all people wishing to express solidarity with nationally oppressed people in the face of targeted government violence.

“The will of the people does not stop,” said Jonathan Toledo, branch chair of SAARPR, as he gave a speech sharing his indignation at the targeted attacks on the Chicano people, Central and South American immigrants, Somali immigrants, and others.

A speaker from BAYAN Seattle spoke for the Defend Migrants Alliance, sharing stories from the Northwest Detention Center, where a person suffered severe medical neglect at the hands of the GEO group, leading to the amputation of his toe and severe heart problems. He said that the situation of Filipino migrants is deeply related to the imperialist exploitation of the country at the hands of the United States, which causes waves of forced migration from the Philippines to serve as a cheap and easily exploitable labor force around the world.

A highlight of the program was a speech from Nolan Good, speaking for the FRSO, who with great emotion shared the story of a five-year-old recently detained by ICE and shared how, as an early child educator, he was moved to tears at the thought of the five-year-old children he cares for on a daily basis facing that experience. Good made a strong call to get organized and take up the call for revolution. “When the people come together and act as one, there is no amount of police or ICE agents, no matter how well armed or institutionally protected, that can stand in the way of the people’s will!”

#SeattleWA #WA #ImmigrantRights #ICE #AlexPretti #KillerICE

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