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 Osage 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

Seattle, WA — Over 200 protesters gathered in front of the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building on January 16 to demand freedom for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores as well as an end to U.S. attacks on Venezuela.

A coalition of progressive and anti-war organizations, including Seattle Against War and the International League of People’s Struggle, organized the program, which was hosted by the organization Troublemakers as part of their long-running Federal Building Fridays.

Jeremiah Baxter, speaking for Seattle Against War, pointed out that “even if we accept the empire’s propaganda and lies, claiming that Maduro is a dictator and a dozen other claims we’ve heard before, the massacre on January 3 was still a massacre and an absolute violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty. The kidnapping of Maduro and Cilia was and is still an absolute violation of international law.”

Branch Chair of the Seattle Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (SAARPR) Jonathan Toledo stated, “Whether it is in Venezuela, Mexico, or the Chicano Nation of Aztlán, the imperialist United States is trying to use military force to exert racist and political repression to subjugate the nation’s right to determine its own decisions, the right of the working class to be able to organize and have fair working conditions, and to extract and steal resources.”

The speaker from the International League of People’s Struggle said, “Another invasion means more profit, it means more resources for the billionaires, not for the people. We have seen this throughout history, war was never about defending the country. It was about the oil, the mining projects, the land, the profit that can be made off the war.”

“The only people that profit, the only people that enjoy war, the only people who win at war are the billionaires,” said Mike Fraser, a local musician who led the crowd in a chorus of All You Fascists Bound to Lose in between speeches.

The program closed out with speakers urging attendees to take the next step and get organized. “Until our demands are met, we will continue escalating,” said Rae Lee, chair of Seattle Against War. “Whatever skills you bring, I promise you there is a home for you in the movement. Join an organization, and discover that when we take collective action, the helplessness goes away. The people, united, will never be defeated!”

Baxter echoed this call in his speech: “Showing up is step one. Step two is getting organized. Trump and his regime — the real dictators — they know that we have the power. They know that people power is stronger than any weapon they have. That’s why they use every trick in their bag of tricks to try to shut us down. That’s why they sic the National Guard on cities that don’t comply. That’s why Trump is threatening to invoke the insurrection act to put down the protests in Minnesota. That’s why Trump’s regime is throwing Mahmoud Khalil back in jail for speaking out. They want to make examples of us before we become so strong that there’s nothing they can do to stop us.”

“They are desperate,” Baxter concluded. “They are afraid because they know we can win. I believe that we will win.”

#SeattleWA #WA #AntiWarMovement #Venezuela #SAW #ILPS

Seattle, WA – 30 people in council chambers came together January 13, for a protest organized by the Seattle Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (SAARPR) to demand the Seattle city council strengthen its stance against ICE.

Members of the Seattle Alliance had presented the Seattle city council with a list of demands, including refusal of any and all cooperation with ICE, and an end to the Seattle Police Department's expanding surveillance system – invasive surveillance cameras which community members previously spoke out against due to the potential for them to be accessed by ICE if requested.

Public commenters spoke out in favor of the demands. Kevin Rosewood, a local educator stated “As a teacher, my main goal is keeping the kids I work with safe. When the council says we are a sanctuary city, I feel like that's just lip service when I see ICE coming and taking people from our communities,”

Rosewood continued, “I'm tired of living in fear that one day my classroom will be raided, and I want you to live up to the promise that Seattle is a sanctuary city.”

Protesters echoed the demands, chanting “We want safety, we'll tell you how! Defend our sanctuary city now!”

“To all of you who didn't sign on to our demands, I say: ‘What are you doing?’” said Jonathan Toledo, branch chair of the Seattle Alliance. “While our streets are being terrorized by ICE, we're hearing nothing from you. You sit up there and don't interact with the people who make up our communities. We want ICE out of Seattle, and if the next words after my comment aren't addressing this, we won't be happy.”

Chants of “ICE out of Seattle!” after this statement drowned out Council President Joy Hollingsworth's next words and forced the council to call a recess where a meeting was arranged.

Hollingsworth initially claimed that the council had reviewed the Alliance's demands. During the meeting it was revealed that only one progressive council member had actually read them, and as such they could not sign on to it. Protesters and community members then left the chambers chanting “We'll be back!”

#SeattleWA #WA #ImmigrantRights #ICE #SAARPR

The meeting offered insight into the risks, motivation, and political stakes of the delegation’s solidarity work, situating their action within a broader struggle to defend sovereignty against escalating U.S. aggression in the region.

The reportback featured Izzy McCabe from the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), and Rae Lee from Seattle Against War (SAW), both of whom were members of the December delegation. They described traveling to Venezuela and attending the People’s Assembly for Peace and Sovereignty, where large-scale and grassroots movements from around the world.

Lee stated, “Right now, Venezuelans are building their capacity to withstand U.S. imperialism through community.”

McCabe told the crowd, “The U.S. aggressions and increasing U.S. presence in the Caribbean and Pacific are a way to divide Latin American countries by sowing confusion through propaganda.”

McCabe continued, “It is our duty as members of the imperial core to stand in solidarity with all peoples facing imperialist aggression.”

Lee also reflected on the importance of international solidarity stating, “We were there to learn and get new perspectives from all over the world.” Attendees engaged in discussion, asking questions about sustaining work and linking local struggles to global movements.

After the reportback, activists and community members took their message to the street, gathering at Othello Station for a rally against U.S. intervention in Venezuela. The protest drew a large crowd, reflecting the widespread outrage over the latest U.S. military rampage and the continued threat to sovereignty faced by people in Venezuela.

At the rally, participants carried signs, hung banners reading “Hands off Venezuela” and chanted “¡Trump, escucha, estamos en la lucha!” Speakers connected struggles across Latin America to local organizing efforts in Seattle, emphasizing that U.S. military aggression abroad has direct economic and political consequences for working-class communities at home. The atmosphere was energized and resolute, with attendees chanting together, exchanging information, and committing to continued action.

Meredith Ruff, a member of SAW, stated, “The purpose of our military action is to maintain U.S. interests, which just so happens to be completely aligned with the interests of U.S. corporations and the billionaire class.”

Together, the reportback and rally demonstrated a growing commitment among Seattle activists to oppose U.S. imperialism and build solidarity with people resisting that aggression worldwide.

#SeattleWA #WA #AntiWarMovement #Venezuela #SAW

Tacoma, WA — On January 7, over 50 community members gathered in the cold to mourn the loss of Renee Good, a community member shot and killed by ICE agents as she was observing an ICE raid in south Minneapolis.

The rally opened with the crowd chanting “We want justice, we want peace, we want ICE off of our streets.”

“Tacomans are outraged by what has happened! We will not stand by as ICE murders the people who are showing up to protect our neighbors,” said Ian Freeman, a member of Climate Alliance of the South Sound.

In Minneapolis and across the country ICE activity and repression has significantly increased under the Trump administration. The murder of Good comes just a day after the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem traveled to the Twin Cities on January 6, bringing a massive ICE presence with her.

“We have witnessed just how far ICE, and this Trump administration, is willing to go to scapegoat migrants and all those who stand in unwavering support of migrants. From the sudden execution of community members in broad daylight to the outright lies as to what actually happened,” Kasandra Seda, an organizer with Capybara Colectiva, stated.

Seda continued, “It is important for us to tell the truth and continue to tell the truth about what happened to Renee and what continues to happen. Because wherever ICE is, nobody is safe. While ICE is threatening our communities with guns and violence, we know that it's community organizations like us who are ensuring the safety and well-being of our migrant communities.”

Organizers led the crowd in chanting “Justice for Renee!”

“On top of the murder today, we cannot forget the deaths at the hands of ICE that have occurred inside of detention centers due to mistreatment and neglect,” expressed Chiara Garcia with Pierce County Immigration Alliance.

This rally was held just miles away from the Northwest ICE Processing Center, which is infamous for its human rights violations, medical neglect, and where two people died while in ICE custody within a couple months of one another in 2024.

“ICE is militarized with our tax dollars to come terrorize us. What kind of fucked-up system is creating this kind of environment?” Aife Pasquale with the Freedom Road Socialist organization stated, adding, “Trump is escalating his attacks on the people, on the whole world, for the sake of profit. all of this fucked-up bullshit that’s going on, it isn't an accident, it’s not coincidental, it’s all intrinsic to the capitalist system.”

Organizers made it clear that this heightening repression signaled that it is not a time to back down but instead is time to fight back and get organized.

“I know it's really easy to be afraid, but I hope you continue to show out, to mobilize, to organize, to join an organization. You know, they're escalating their fights, we also have to escalate our organizing,” stated Seda.

This action was in response to a national call from the Legalization for All network to stand in solidarity with Minneapolis and to demand Justice for Renee Good. Organizers of the vigil included Pierce County Immigration Alliance (La Alianza), Climate Alliance of the South Sound, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Capybara Colectiva, Tanggol Migrante, and International Migrants Alliance.

“It’s hard to get up and go about every day knowing these are the horrors we are subjected to. but being here tonight, seeing all of you here, willing to stand up against ICE, against this system, against Trump, brings me the revolutionary optimism to keep fighting,” declared Pasquale. “ICE, Trump, and capitalism as a whole are bound to lose. Our victory, the bright future we have ahead of us, is inevitable!”

#TacomaWA #WA #ImmigrantRights #ICE #InJusticeSystem #KillerICE #KillerCops #ReneeGood