Tacoma, WA – Over 150 people gathered outside the Federal Courthouse in Tacoma, Washington on March 22 to rally for women in honor of International Women’s Month. Under the slogan “Stand up, fight back!” community members from many of the 16 endorsing organizations gave speeches addressing topics of indigenous sovereignty, Palestinian liberation and immigrant rights as they pertain to women.

The rally began with chants like “From Palestine to Mexico, these border walls have got to go!” and “When immigrants’ rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!”

Eugenia Cascante from Pierce County Immigration Alliance spoke about her experience as an immigrant and mother, saying, “Attacks on immigrant and migrant women aren’t new. For generations, this system has ensured we are pushed to the back of the line, that we are ushered to the sidelines and live in the shadows.”

Amirah Haris, a union organizer with SEIU 775 and Tacoma Democratic Socialists of America said, “As our nation's leaders appear to roll back progress on gender and racial rights, it is more important than ever to study the immense contributions and leadership of Black women throughout history, especially in the struggle for workers' rights.”

Haris was not the only union proud person in attendance. IAM, Teamsters, UFCW, and AFSCME rank-and-file were represented as well.

Talison Crosby from Teamster Local 174 and the Freedom Road Socialist Organization stated, “The fight for women’s rights doesn’t end at the U.S. borders. As of this week, Israel has resumed its genocidal war against the people of Palestine. The women of Palestine, immigrant women, Black, trans and native women all face increased oppression under Trump and the system he represents.”

Crosby added, “Join us in uniting Black people, Chicanos and indigenous people with the working class movement in the only strategic alliance capable of overthrowing the system that facilitates the oppression of women.”

Dozens of homemade signs were waved the air as speeches ended and attendees began a picket line outside the courthouse, chanting “One struggle, one fight, Palestine and women’s rights!” Music, chanting and marching filled the plaza.

“This is the fight of the average person. Congress isn’t coming to save us, there is no superhero. It’s the action of the average person with a moral compass that will change this country for the better,” Cascante concluded. “Our ancestors have shown us how to do this, but it’s up to us to make it happen. We are the leaders we have been looking for.”

#TacomaWA #WA #WomensMovement

Tacoma, WA – Community members gathered at the South Tacoma Library on Tuesday, February 25, for a “Black Liberation and Scientific Socialism” panel hosted by Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) and the All-African People’s Revolutionary Party (AAPRP).

The program featured speakers from both organizations and lively discussion on the oppression faced by Black people in the U.S. and on the African continent, as well as the road ahead under the Trump administration.

“Under neocolonialism the masses toil under stagnant and worsening conditions but must produce substantially more,” said Terrence McCall of the AAPRP.

McCall gave a history of the development of Pan-Africanism, noting the contributions of leaders such as W.E.B. Du Bois from the United States, and Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana.

Next, Mathieu Chabaud of the FRSO presented on the history of the Black Liberation Movement in the United States. Drawing from the book Marxist-Leninist Perspectives on Black Liberation and Socialism by Frank Chapman, Chabaud started with an analysis of the economic driving forces behind the American Civil War, stating, “The reason the South lost was not because of the noble efforts of white abolitionists, but because 186,000 former slaves revolted in general strike and joined the Union Army.”

Chabaud continued with a history of Reconstruction in the South, and the development of the Black Belt thesis by Black communists such as Harry Haywood.

Lastly, Talison Crosby of the FRSO analyzed the continuation of the Black Liberation Movement into the 21st century and the tasks ahead for the people’s movements. “During the George Floyd Rebellion of 2020, something happened that had never happened before,” said Crosby. “Millions of people in all 50 states took to the streets. It was a Black-led uprising, but the majority of people who participated in it are not Black.”

“I remember hitting the streets during the uprising in 2020. I remember volunteering at the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone,” said Gemini Gnull. “I’m a member of the Osage Nation. Full indigenous sovereignty and liberation for my people is not possible without socialism. And socialism in the United States is not possible without Black liberation. We’ve all got a common enemy. Black people and Indigenous people are natural allies in the fight against oppression.”

In general, attendees were angry about Trump’s attacks on the people and in agreement that a clear-eyed analysis of the conditions were necessary in order to achieve their political goals and defeat Trump’s agenda.

Concluding the event, Crosby quoted Frank Chapman: “As Frank says, ‘We stand in the rosy dawn of a new movement.’ It’s our responsibility to finally complete the unfinished revolution of the Reconstruction era. The tasks ahead are tremendous, but the future is certainly bright.”

#TacomaWA #WA #OppressedNationalities #AfricanAmerican #BlackHistoryMonth #FRSO #AAPRP #NAARPR

Tacoma, WA – Seventeen coalitions came together January 20, rallying hundreds of people at Fireman’s Park before taking to the streets to protest Trump’s inauguration on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 

The coalition addressed a broad array of issues, including immigration, Palestinian liberation, Black liberation, worker’s rights, climate justice, and more. United under three core demands – an end to the attacks on the people, defeat Trump’s agenda, and resist U.S. imperialism – these allied forces marched in solidarity, demonstrating a powerful commitment of the peoples’ movements to resist in the coming years of Trump’s presidency. 

Organizer Miriam Barnett started her speech by stating, “We celebrate the greatness of MLK today and we stand together to vow to fight the evilness of Trump. We will never embrace the Trump agenda.” 

The roars of the crowd echoed the sentiment of resistance to this administration. Organizers also emphasized that their fight transcends any single administration. 

“We would be taking to the streets no matter the outcome of this election.” said Talison Crosby, a long-time organizer with the Freedom Road Socialist Organization. “The system gave us two rotten choices that resulted in a rotten outcome. Neither party represents the people.”

Terrance McCall, an organizer with the All-African People’s Revolutionary Party stated, “The attacks on the people will not come to an end by interventions made by the Democratic nor Republican Party, they will only be brought to an end by the power of the people.” McCall continued, The time is long overdue for us to unite as poor and working people, with the poor and oppressed of the world, to change every part of the production of the society from serving the interests of private wealth to serving the people. The people will be first.” 

Mylo Lang, a member of the International Association of Machinists Local 751, and a member of the Tacoma Democratic Socialists of America stated, “Trump has made his priorities more clear than most.” 

Lang continued, “When he promises to carry out a campaign of mass immigrant deportations, he threatens the most vulnerable workers among us, whose contributions to daily life so often go unrecognized. When he focuses so much of his rhetoric on cultural bogeymen, he shows how desperate he is to keep the working class divided and distracted.” 

Marilyn Kimmerling, a member of the Climate Alliance of the South Sound said, “We know the corporate ploy that is used to divide us - ‘Jobs versus environment’ - meaning you can’t have both, is a false choice. There are no jobs on a dead planet. And we know that everything is connected, so we stand with any progressive groups doing the work that needs to be done. Mutual aid, solidarity, community building, and working together may be the only way we can effectively fight the perils we now face.” 

When an enemy such as Trump is going to attack the people and escalate on all fronts, it is also necessary that people organize as such. This march met the moment by going from the sidewalks into the streets and occupying the busiest intersections in Tacoma.  

Participants chanted, “Up up with liberation, Down down with occupation” as the march concluded at the Federal Court House. This rally was one of many protests across the nation, marking the beginning of a resistance to this administration. 

Alisun Thompson, with Jewish Voice for Peace, spoke of the power of the march, stating, “This work really shows what we can do when we are united – we are stronger together.” Each speaker concluded with a call to action. “There’s a lot of organizations out here today. If you’re not in one, you need to be in one, we can’t do anything ourselves but together we can change the world,” McCall stated.’

#TacomaWA #MLK #MLKDay #Trump #Inauguration #FRSO #JewishVoiceforPeace #JVP #ClimateAlliance #ClimateAllianceoftheSouthSound #SouthSound #DSA #AAPRP

Tacoma, WA – Dozens of community members gathered at the Tacoma City Council chambers on Tuesday, December 17, in preparation for the city of Tacoma’s vote to pass the city’s first Climate and Sustainability Commission into law.

“It’s great that the city council is planning to pass an ordinance enshrining the Climate Commission into law, but as it stands there are some serious problems with it,” said Haze Bender, a rank-and-file member of Teamsters Local 174. “As written, the commission is only advisory, has no real power, and all members are appointed, rather than elected.”

“We’ve been here many weeks, and a lot of our members never miss council meetings,” said Catelynn Henion, a local activist with Climate Alliance of the South Sound (CASS). “I strongly believe that this Climate Commission wouldn’t even be an ordinance here tonight if there weren't so many people that organized for it.”

The city’s public comment section of the meeting opened with a statement calling to delay the vote on the Climate Commission until the language could be updated to match community demands. The comment was met with resounding applause and cheers from the audience. After the applause, Mayor Victoria Woodards said: “During public comment we ask that in these chambers you refrain from cheering after a speaker has spoken.”

One attendee, a letter carrier with the NALC Local 79, Bryce Phillips shouted from his seat: “It’s our constitutional right!”

Mayor Woodards responded, “This is not a back-and-forth. If you want to be respected, then you must respect the rules of this council. If we can’t abide by the rules of the council, then we won’t have public comment tonight.”

Dozens of community members testified in favor of a strong commission and implored the council to delay the vote until the language could be changed. Despite the mayor’s threats, indigenous community members in the audience continued to beat hand drums at the end of supportive comments.

“I have been an educator in Tacoma for over ten years, and the youth are experiencing the worst of pollution, especially in the South End,” said Phil Harty. “The commission must have the ability to veto permits and projects based on consultation with local tribes and preservation of native ecosystems.”

“By empowering a stronger climate commission, Tacoma can address its urgent environmental challenges and improve public health outcomes. Instead of mega warehouses, we should be planting more trees” said Stephanie Reasor. “Tacoma has the lowest tree coverage of any city in western Washington.”

“The climate commission needs to actually be able to protect the environment, but right now it’s just a little band-aid,” said Zipporah Jarmon.

“Systems are designed to produce the outcome that they get, and we are in a climate catastrophe because our system was designed to create it,” said Rachel Ostheller. “Your commission leaves the power in the hands of that very same system, unchecked. Essentially your commission is politely asking the system to do better, but we don’t have the luxury to be polite anymore.”

Despite earlier threats from the mayor, Phillips gave a powerful testimony that resulted in resounding applause from the audience, “There’s a lot of things I like about Tacoma, but let’s be real: this city is known as a toxic waste dump, as the place where the most exploitive, extractive, pollutive garbage goes. It’s treated as a garbage dump by the capitalist class. The toadies on city council say ‘oh hey, put your toxic waste dump here, put your big warehouse here, put your big polluting thing here, our people are poor, are people won’t say anything, this isn’t Seattle, this is Tacoma.’ So I’d like to ask: what kind of legacy do you want to leave? Do you want your legacy to be that we made some feel-good statements?”

Phillips continued, “Or you want your legacy to be that you turned Tacoma around, started to make this into a world-class city, started to make this the beautiful city that it can be, and that you started listening to the residents, to Indigenous people, to labor, and to our communities that are demanding that you put some actually teeth in this legislation and stop playing games.”

After public comment ended and dozens of activists, scientists, indigenous people, and union members testified in favor of a strong climate commission and delaying the vote, the council blazed through the rest of the agenda.

When they reached the vote to adopt the Climate Commission ordinance, it became clear there would be no amendments. Before the city clerk could call the vote, an organizer with CASS, Aife Pasquale, rose from their seat and chanted “Liberate the people!” Dozens more rose from their seats and responded, “Liberate the planet!” The chanting continued as activists moved to the front of city council chambers and linked arms in an attempt to block the vote.

In an unprecedented move, Mayor Woodards insisted the clerk call the vote despite the disruption. Council members had to shout into their microphones in order for their votes to be heard above the chanting community members gathering at the front. The ordinance passed with eight voting yes and a single council member, Jamika Scott of District 3, abstaining. After the vote, Woodards immediately moved to adjourn the meeting.

As council members shuffled out the back door and police lingered at the periphery, the community continued to rally, producing a megaphone and sharing speeches, songs and poems on a variety of issues.

“City council chose to end the meeting early and cancel community forum, so we held our own community forum,” said Gemini Gnull, member of the Osage Nation and organizer with CASS.

Community forum is the section at the end of council meetings where constituents can talk about anything, even if the subject of their comment is not on the agenda.

Addressing the crowd in chambers, Pasquale said, “Our actions are not drawn from thin air, and our demands are not drawn from thin air. We use historic examples from successful movements to guide our actions. We work with elder activists who have put everything on the line to make a better world. We synthesize ideas from the community and represent their felt needs. And then the council silences us! This is repression! The council is too comfortable taking away our rights. When the council ignores us and silences us, we are forced to escalate.”

“It’s incredibly disappointing that despite months of calls, emails, meeting requests and testimony at council, the city pushed through this ordinance unamended,” said Gnull. “But the road to victory is paved with losses, and tonight we showed the power of our community, of the alliance between labor and Black and indigenous people. We showed that the people of Tacoma are ready to fight.”

“I love Tacoma. I was born and raised here. I love the people of Tacoma” said Pasquale. “This is a climate emergency, and we need to act like it. There is no future unless we start fighting.”

#TacomaWA #WA #Environment #ClimateJustice #CASS

Tacoma, WA – More than 20 students rallied at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma on November 22, to condemn Donald Trump’s win in the presidential election and demand justice for Palestine. Protesters headed to the entrance of the school, where campus tours were being held. Students and community members voiced their anger and demanded justice.

Students at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma have been fighting repression after taking a stand and demanding divestment from Israel. The university has been making threats, including use of police escalation, in an attempt to silence the voices of students.

In regards to Trump winning the election, Fletcher Crone told the crowd, “I think it is very scary for a lot of people, and rightfully so, but based on the messaging today, seeing everyone coming together in community, and just seeing a lot of optimism from people, and a lot of encouraging messages from people, like all over campus, all over Tacoma, on social media, I think people are going to stand up and not take this Trump presidency. People are going to fight back!”

After over a year of fighting the school’s reactionary and cruel stance on the Palestinian genocide, the students of North End Tacoma Students for a Democratic Society (NET SDS) have made wins for the people’s movement and Palestine.

After kicking Zionist-supporting U.S. Congressman Derek Kilmer off campus in February, they have faced repression in the form of surveillance and punitive measures imposed on them by the school’s administration. Nevertheless, their unwavering support for Palestine continues. Currently, they are fighting to improve the organizing conditions on campus by garnering support against the repressive student conduct code, which targets any form of campus organizing.

Miles Cruger, stated, “Right now, I can feel the energy in the air! Not just here, but in every god damn moment we are living through. And that’s been something I’ve been thinking about a lot. In the future, if I have children, what am I gonna tell them? What was I doing when this happened? When the climate crisis happened, what was I doing? And that’s something we all need to ask ourselves, what are we gonna tell the next generation about this moment, today?”

The students are rightfully angry and ready to fight back. Trump’s win adds nothing but fuel to the fire of the students at UPS. We’ve fought under Trump before, and we are uniting against him and the scum in his administration. The rally was electric with unity and revolutionary optimism, promising more wins in the future.

#TacomaWA #WA #StudentMovement #PeoplesStruggles #Trump #SDS

Tacoma, WA – On Saturday morning November 30, about 30 people gathered outside the Northwest Detention Center (NWDC) in the port of Tacoma for a routine trash pickup. As the cleanup began however, community members expressed surprise to see multiple fire trucks and other emergency vehicles rapidly approaching the building.

Local organizers from Climate Alliance of the South Sound (CASS) and La Resistencia (LR) quickly responded by running to the yard to ask the people detained what was going on, but armed GEO (the security firm contracted to run the facility) guards forced them back into the building. Reviewing the local police scanner revealed that the building was on fire.

“GEO employees were running outside and being evacuated. They are scared. But what happened to the other people, our people, who are still inside? “ said Rufina Reyes of LR. “We are not animals, we are people! We need to shut this place down as soon as possible.”

After the arrival of the Tacoma Fire Department, the event turned into an impromptu rally, with song, speeches, and chants including “Power to the people! No one is illegal!”

This is the second fire at the NWDC this year that LR is aware of. Both times people detained were forced back into the burning building from the recreation yard. The last fire occurred just days after the detained Charles Leo Daniel was found dead. Daniel was in solitary confinement for four years leading up to his death.

Before this, the cleanup event had gone as planned. Programming started with words from local Puyallup Water Warrior, Dakota Case, who welcomed the crowd to the occupied Puyallup land. “The Puyallup People, we’re thankful. We’re thankful that you guys are out here doing that work today.” The land the NWDC is built on is part of Case’s ancestors’ original allotment.

Case continued, “It’s people like us that have that mindset that we can do better – we gotta give back to this land, we gotta give back to these waters, we gotta give back to the salmon.”

The cleanup was part of ongoing protests and vigils at the NWDC. The NWDC is built on top of stolen land that was turned into a Superfund site, made so polluted by industry that it is, according to the EPA, no longer fit for human habitation. Yet, thousands of people are forced to live there for years at a time, being exposed to unknown levels of toxic chemicals that wash into the yard.

“I’ve known people inside this place, and they all say it’s horrible,” said Tiny Casado, a Teamster at the UPS port of Tacoma hub. “I want to go inside and visit, but I’m afraid. Even though I have papers, I’m afraid that because I’m a Chicano who lived in Mexico that I’ll get deported just for stepping foot inside.”

Local organizations like Climate Alliance of the South Sound, La Resistencia, Native Daily Network, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, and many others have formed a coalition dedicated to fighting environmental inequality in Tacoma. This coalition is called Climate Catastrophe Ground Zero and this event was the first of many similar cleanups which are planned.

“Obviously we’re not going to hear from ICE and GEO what happened, we’re going to have to fight to learn what happened,” said Maru Mora Villalpando of LR.

The workers in the Tacoma fire department were able to contain and extinguish the fire. The extent of the damage and impact on people detained is still being assessed.

#TacomaWA #ICE #NorthwestDetentionCenter #NWDC

Tacoma, WA – The people united to reject the city of Tacoma’s proposed implementation of Israeli-developed surveillance technology intended to escalate the over-policing of Tacoma's low income and oppressed nationality communities.

Gathering outside the city council chambers, a rally celebrated the Palestinian resistance and condemned the militaristic trade relationship between Tacoma and Israel. ShotSpotter, a gunshot-detection system developed in Israel, has been proven to be ineffective in reducing gun violence in cities like Chicago, where its use has been discontinued and denounced by Chicago’s mayor, Brandon Johnson.

At Ben Gilbert park, just outside the city council building, students, environmental activists and anti-war advocates united in support of the Palestinian cause, fighting for divestment and democracy in the city of Tacoma. Kathy Lawhon, a speaker at the rally, told the crowd, “One person’s terrorist is another person’s freedom fighter. We have this way in the U.S. of just calling anyone a terrorist that opposes whatever we want to do. We have to say ‘we’ because it’s our government and we have to take accountability for it. We have to make it stop.”

After rallying and marching, the group arrived at the building’s entrance chanting, “No to ShotSpotter! We won’t pay for people’s slaughter!” The people entered the city council chambers with a prepared joint statement on ShotSpotter, and how this is a direct threat to the people of Tacoma and would contribute to the genocide happening in Palestine. Catelynn Henion, speaking directly to the council, stated, “We demand divestment, and we demand a free Palestine. The implementation of ShotSpotter contradicts both of the people's demands and your commitments made in Resolution 41416, otherwise known as Tacoma's Ceasefire Resolution.”

The ten-and-a-half minute statement concluded with a call to action for community members in the audience to get connected to the people’s movements in Tacoma. The eighth and final commenter addressed the council as well, imploring them to not cast aside the people’s calls for justice any longer, noting that if they do it will force the people’s movement to escalate its efforts to protect the community. The group left the chambers chanting “Free free Palestine!”

#TacomaWA #WA #AntiWarMovement #Palestine

Tacoma, WA – On September 4, members of the IBEW Local 46 and community members picketed at the Tacoma location of Auto-Chlor to demand an end to illegal firing and intimidations and for the company to acknowledge workers’ lawful right to organize.

“We are tired of the always increasing workloads, pressure to get more done with less, more and more time away from our families, and not being compensated at market value for our skills and the profits we bring to the company,” said Dametrius Ballarad, an Auto-Chlor technician.

Talison Crosby, a member of Teamsters Local 174, said, “I'm out here today because as a rank-and-file Teamster, I know the power of a union. We gotta stand with our siblings in the working class who are fighting for what's right. Tacoma is a proud union town, and we won't let this union-busting go unchallenged!”

Wrapping up the picket, community member Sean Renning commented, “The sentiment was one of solidarity and visibility. We were there to show the workers of Auto-Chlor that they're not alone and that they have our support in the struggle for fair pay and working conditions.”

“Ultimately our goal as a labor union is to elevate the industry in which we represent working-class people,” said Shannon Hagen, senior organizer with IBEW Local 46.

#TacomaWA #WA #Labor #IBEW

Tacoma, WA – On Friday, August 30, about 20 people gathered in person and online to celebrate the 54th anniversary of the historic Chicano Moratorium, at an event hosted by Freedom Road Socialist Organization. The commemoration was held in a community organizing space shared by the Black Panther Party of Washington, 350 Tacoma, La Resistencia and other local groups.

The event kicked off with a presentation by local organizer Jami Cortez. During the presentation, the history of the events that led up to the moratorium where highlighted.

Cortez stated, “By the late 1960s, the people’s movements were mobilizing in masses to stop the 1955-1975 U.S. war of aggression in socialist Vietnam. There was a common anti-war sentiment growing among the Mexican American community that was made evident by a multitude of demonstrators chanting, ‘Our struggle is not in Vietnam but in the movement for social justice at home,’ which was a key slogan of the movement.”

The Chicano Moratorium is celebrated every year on August 29 to commemorate 30,000 Chicanos taking to the streets to demand an end to the Vietnam War. Another presenter, Talison Crosby, said “The National Chicano Moratorium Committee demanded that the funds for the Vietnam war be directed to social services, especially because Chicanos were disproportionately represented in the military draft and military deaths.”

Throughout the presentation, speakers highlighted the similarities between the struggle that oppressed Chicanos faced due to the Vietnam War and the struggle people face due to the ongoing genocide in Palestine.

“The U.S. always invades for the same reason: profit and power,” said Gemini Gnull, a local organizer with Freedom Road Socialist Organization. “I'm Osage, and the U.S. stole and invaded our land for profit, just like they annexed Aztlan for profit, and how they enable Israel to steal Palestinian land for profit. Always the working people who live on and care for the land are thrown into the proverbial meat-grinder whether that be reservations, drafts, or outright carpet-bombing.”

Gnull was part of the March on the DNC, which happened earlier last month to protest the genocide in Gaza, among other things. “Just like the Chicanos took to the streets to demand their tax dollars be used to help them, not to murder them through needless war, we took to the streets to demand an end to US aid to Israel. These bogus wars don't serve us – Chicanos knew that in the 70s and we know that today too.”

The event was closed out by many people mingling, laughing and eating while making plans for future action in Tacoma around immigration justice and Chicano liberation.

“I feel so immensely proud and lucky that I get to introduce today’s event being a mixed race Mexican and African American person myself,” emcee Xanat Romo explained. Romo is a local student organizer, member of FRSO, and founder of School of the Arts (SOTA) Students for a Democratic Society chapter, at that high school. “It is my sincerest hope that by celebrating the Chicano Moratorium, we can preserve this important history both for the future generations ahead of us and for ourselves, so that we may continue to fight the good fight, carry on the work of activists from that time, and remember what it is and who it is we’re fighting for.”

#TacomaWA #WA #OppressedNationalities #ChicanoLatino #ChicanoMoratorium

Tacoma, WA – Over 150 demonstrators gathered outside the Northwest ICE Immigrant Detention Center Sunday, September 1 to demand closure of the facility.

“We are here to show solidarity with those inside who are protesting their wrongful imprisonment,” said Rufina Reyes, director of La Resistencia. “We are here every day, but today is special because we are joined by the organization Tsuru for Solidarity, celebrating the resilience of their ancestors who survived the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.”

The program began with a taiko performance by a coalition of seven taiko drumming groups in Washington state. Many protesters wore yukata. After the taiko performance, members of the Puyallup Water Warriors Council and other Coast Salish Indigenous people gave a land acknowledgement and performed two drum prayers for the crowd.

After the early performances, a group of detainees video called from inside the detention center in order to speak with the crowd.

Addressing a growing crowd of hundreds, one detainee said: “Keep doing what you’re doing, keep supporting us, because it’s what’s giving us hope to continue fighting.”

The caller continued, “There’s many people in here who can’t speak English, so I advocate for them. Then I’m the one who gets retaliated against because they know I act as a spokesperson for those who can’t stand up for themselves.”

The crowd responded with a series of chants including “When immigrant rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!” and “What do we want? Freedom! When do we want it? Now!”

A second detainee then joined the video call and addressed the crowd in Spanish. Maru Mora Villalpando, founder of La Resistencia, translated for the crowd, “Inside here we have no rights. We want to fight for our rights, so we need you to keep fighting so we have the hope. There are many people inside with families. I have four children, and ICE doesn’t care what happens to them. They say to us ‘don’t worry, America will take care of them’ but that’s not true, America is not taking care of them, America will not do what parents need to do for their children.”

The crowd responded with another series of chants including: “¡No están solos! You are not alone!” and “¡Chinga la Migra! Fuck ICE!”

The program continued throughout the afternoon with more chants, healing ceremonies, food and folk dancing. The attitude of the crowd was both celebratory and somber, as summed up by Reyes: “We are really happy to see so many people out here, but we need more. On the inside, they are happy because they know we’re still out here fighting.”

#TacomaWA #WA #ImmigrantRights #LaResistencia

Tacoma, WA – Tacoma residents gathered outside the Tacoma Public Utilities auditorium on July 2, to make their last statements ahead of the finalization of the city’s new charter.

Every decade, the city of Tacoma convenes a Charter Review Committee, or CRC to assess and make changes to how the city is run. In 2024, 24 recommendations were made by the CRC, some of which include the formation of a Climate Accountability Commission, a Policing Accountability Board, and removing power from the city manager to place it back to the mayor and city council.

The crowd outside the temporary city council chambers urged the council to pass all CRC recommendations with cries of “Democracy across the nation! Pass every recommendation!” and “Let us vote!”

The outcry for accountability for the police and the climate comes after the murder of Manuel “Manny” Ellis and the subsequent acquittal of the Tacoma police officers who killed him, and the construction of a mega-warehouse in South Tacoma, respectively. Many of the decisions made by the city are single-handedly made by Tacoma’s unelected city manager, Elizabeth Pauli.

Ann Dorn, member of the Tacoma Democratic Socialists of America, stated, “We want to vote on where executive power is placed, and we want this under the control of the people.”

“We already told the city that we wanted change ten years ago, and nothing good has changed for us. We get murdered, we get pollution, we get violation of treaty rights – we get nothing, and they get everything!” said Gemini Gnull, member of Climate Alliance of the South Sound.

Once inside the chambers, the people made their thoughts known to the council during the public hearing section.

“Tacoma is called the City of Destiny, but what destiny has this current city government designed for the 250,000 Tacomans who rely on it? A destiny of Amazon warehouses, LNG plants, police brutality and lung disease,” Sean Renning, a Tacoma resident, testified. “The Bridge Industrial warehouse is the greatest travesty this city has suffered since the Ruston copper smelter a century ago.”

During the meeting, the city council did not bring up the Policing Accountability Board, presumably because it would not move forward in the charter. Attentive Tacomans recognized this and made note of it in their statements to the council.

“It looks likely the policing accountability recommendation from the charter commission is not going to be put forward to voters, and that concerns me,” said Sean Arent, member of Washington Against Nuclear Weapons. “I think this is something our city cares about, and I think public safety ranks as a top concern for most Tacomans and we should have democratic control over that system.”

The filibustered meeting finally ended after four hours, leaving residents uncertain about their future but ready to keep fighting back.

#TacomaWA #CommunityControlofthePolice #Environment

Tacoma WA – On Tuesday, April 23, over 150 students and faculty members from Tacoma School of the Arts, University of Washington Tacoma, and University of Puget Sound walked out of classes at 10:30 a.m. They rallied at Tollefson Plaza to demonstrate student solidarity with Palestine and demand that the United States of America divest from Israel.

Students for a Democratic Society chapters SOTA SDS, UPS SDS, and UWT PSU collaborated to organize the walkout and rally, joining over 25 other schools participating in walking out and protesting on campuses all over Washington State.

The students and faculty were joined by community members, providing the protesters with signs, a Palestinian flag, and sidewalk chalk. After a round of chanting, the intended program commenced, featuring speakers from SOTA SDS and UPS SDS.

Xanat Romo, a member of SOTA SDS, who also led chants for the event, began her speech explaining the history of Israel’s occupation of Palestine, clearing up common misconceptions. Romo stated, “If you take away anything from this event, I want it to be about the power of solidarity. We are all connected in struggle. We are all oppressed by the same powers. The goal is not just Palestinian liberation, but liberation for all peoples.”

A member of SOTA SDS, Ryder Owen, followed Romo’s speech, saying, “We’re watching America fall, the curtain has opened and we the people see what they're doing. We see them for their fallacies, their propaganda, and their lies. We refuse to be complacent, to watch and not utter a single word, because what do we do? Stand up, fight back!”

More speeches and rounds of chanting followed. Protesters cheered as cars drove by, honking in support, As the rally began wrapping up, students wrote pro-Palestine messages all over the asphalt of the plaza and marched back to their school buildings.

#TacomaWA #WA #StudentMovement #SDS #AntiWarMovement #International #MiddleEast #Palestine

Chicago, IL – An energetic crowd of protesters gathered in Federal Plaza in downtown Chicago to celebrate Earth Day, April 21, and protest the construction of a mega-warehouse in South Tacoma, Washington. The mega warehouse is currently under construction by the Chicago-based real estate company Bridge Industrial.

Russel Dahlman, of Chicago and the Midwest Regional Joint Board of Workers United, explained, “We are proud to stand in solidarity behind our siblings in labor- the Teamsters Local 28 and the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 367- who are opposing environmentally racist practices in the form a mega-warehouse that would devastate the natural environment in the primarily Black and brown neighborhoods of Tacoma, Washington.”

Dahlman was one of several speakers who tied the fight for environmental justice at the Bridge Industrial mega-warehouse to the broader people's movements. The programming included speeches from organizers focused on students, labor and racial justice.

“As organized labor, we stand up for our communities, and we fight for the resources we deserve, including education, healthcare, good-paying union jobs, clean neighborhoods and healthy foods. Our ability to live a safe and healthy life shouldn’t be determined by our zip code or tax bracket,” Dahlman continued, stressing the importance of solidarity between the labor and environmental movements.

Jimmy Rogers from Students for a Democratic Society at University of Illinois – Chicago (SDS UIC) discussed how solidarity around the globe is imperative. “As we celebrate this Earth, I am reminded of the Palestinians who loved this Earth and their land so much they'd rather be buried in it than to leave it to the hands of the Zionist war criminals.” Rogers went on to describe how environmentally destructive the Israeli occupation has been.

Chants of “We believe that we will win” echoed between the Chicago skyscrapers. This chant was characteristic of the rally – optimistic, energetic, and determined to fight environmental injustice with solidarity.

That rally closed with the crowd singing the classic labor song Solidarity Forever – with a verse altered to reflect the mega-warehouse:

“Bridge Industrial will destroy us if it means they’ll make a dime. But they’re running off our labor, stolen land and borrowed time. Tacoma and Chicago will defeat them when our power is combined! For the union makes us strong!”

#ChicagoIL #TacomaWA #Environment #Labor #EarthDay #Teamsters #UFCW #SDS

Tacoma, WA – On April 14, in Tollefson Plaza, approximately 30 protesters gathered in Tacoma to demand “U.S hands off Iran” at a rally called for by several Students for a Democratic Society chapters (SDS).

As activists began to gather at Tollefson Plaza, they chanted, “We demand justice, we demand peace! U.S. out of the Middle East!” Students and community members then gave speeches to condemn the provocation of Iran by the U.S. and Israel, amid the ongoing genocide being committed by Israel in Palestine.

SDS chapters present included the University of Puget Sound SDS, School of the Arts Tacoma SDS, the University of Washington Seattle Progressive Student Union, and the University of Washington Tacoma Progressive Student Union.

Xanat Romo, a member of SOTA SDS, added “Israel is starting to realize that the United States is steadily growing weaker and unstable and soon, they won't have the one of the world’s most hellish empires backing them up. Israel is starting to realize that whatever they get from the U.S. now is the most they’ll be getting.”

Annika Freeling, a member of UPS SDS, continued as to why the decline of U.S. imperialism has led to Israel’s genocidal aggression. She explained, “they’re scared that they can no longer launch air strikes on other countries without consequence. They know the time of their dominance is ending. This is why they were scared of Yemen; this is why they were scared of Lebanon, and most of all, this is why they were scared of Palestine.”

Talison Crosby, a member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization said, “This is a critical moment in history. The U.S. empire is declining. It's trying desperately to maintain its hegemonic grip, but the people of the world are not having it. The people want freedom and national liberation!”

As speeches wrapped up, Mantak Singh, a member of UWS PSU, took to the stage to encourage attendees to join the march on the Democratic National Convention planned for August 19, stating, “The Democratic Party has shown itself, especially in the past few months, to be more than willing to continue and further arm the genocide in Gaza.”

Singh continued, “This is why we are planning to march on the Democratic National Convention come August. In Chicago, the Democratic Party, with all their donors, delegates and politicians will descend on the city to coronate Genocide Joe as their nominee once again. They are going to celebrate themselves, clap themselves on the back, and prepare for another four years of arming a genocide.”

In the months ahead, SDS chapters plan to organize for the march on the DNC, bringing together a national coalition to put forward the people’s demands. Just as the crowd at Tollefson Plaza showed that people will not stand for U.S. retaliation against Iran, the people will show in August that they will not stand for the Democrat’s support for genocide.

#TacomaWA #WA #AntiWarMovement #International #MiddleEast #Iran #Palestine #StudentMovement #SDS #PSU

Tacoma, WA – On March 20, approximately 50 people gathered in front of the Northwest Detention Center as part of the 24/7 vigil currently being led by La Resistencia and Tsuru for Solidarity.

The 24/7 vigil was organized in response to the horrific conditions within the Northwest Detention Center (NWDC), specifically, the alleged suicide of Charles Leo Daniel, a 61-year-old man who spent two years in solitary confinement. After the death of Daniel, at least five other detainees attempted suicide in the following days. In response to this tragedy, over 300 detainees have gone on hunger strike with several community members joining them in solidarity.

Maru Mora-Villalpando, the founder of La Resistencia who is on hunger strike, said, “If I end up in the hospital, it’s on them, it’s their lack of response. We’re asking so little. Say something, say something about Mr. Daniel, why won’t you?”

For this particular day, the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) endorsed the vigil and led the demonstrators in protest against the NWDC.

Clio Jensen, a rank-and-file member of Unite Here Local 8, spoke about the recent campaign at her workplace, where workers won a strong contract that included translation rights and banned their employer from working with ICE. Jensen stated, “When we fight for and win protections for immigrant workers at our workplaces, we are making the entire labor movement stronger, and we’re making all of our movements stronger!”

In addition to chants of “Shut it down!” and “Fuck ICE! Fuck GEO!” the demonstrators sang along to the iconic labor song Which Side Are You On? changing the chorus lyrics to “Free them all tonight” and “Chinga la migra”.

Mantak Singh, a member of the FRSO, said, “ For myself, in the Punjabi community, many of us don’t speak English. If we do, we’d rather speak Punjabi in our homes, businesses and community. My parents speak Punjabi. But when you see people pushing for us to speak English, not Punjabi, in schools and on the street, that’s taking away identity, taking away culture.”

The NWDC detains immigrants of many different nationalities and religions, including a significant number of Punjabi detainees. Muslim detainees inside have reported disrespectful conditions that make their observance of Ramadan impossible.

After a hot meal provided by FRSO member Gemini Gnull, and several speakers, chanting, and singing, the demonstrators concluded with a guided grieving and empowerment meditation. Tears streamed down the cheeks of several attendees, and despite the tragic circumstances, the crowd kept their eyes locked on victory. “I’m sick and tired of this shit,” said Gnull. “We’ve got to shut it down. And we’re going to.”

#TacomaWA #SeattleWA #WA #ImmigrantRights #ICE #FRSO #LaResistencia

Tacoma, WA - On March 12, an encampment began outside Tacoma’s Northwest Detention Center in response to the death of Charles Leo Daniel, who committed suicide after over two years of solitary confinement. This followed two subsequent suicide attempts inside the detention center. 

La Resistencia, a group that has been organizing to shut down the Northwest Detention Center (NWDC) for over a decade, led the action alongside Tsuru for Solidarity. 300 detainees have also gone on hunger strike while eight hunger strikers have joined from the outside. 

The Northwest Detention Center is a for-profit prison for ICE detainees owned and managed by the Geo Group.  

Maru Mora-Villalpando, a La Resistencia leader, stated the organization was present “to watch ICE because lives are in danger.” 

Mora-Villalpando, one of the outside hunger strikers, said she will not be ending her hunger strike until Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray agree to conduct an independent investigation into the NWDC. 

Throughout the week, ambulances arrived at least once a day, and on March 14 a laundry fire broke out. Geo Group refused to evacuate the building even though flames were seen rising from the roof. No one was seriously injured. 

On March 16, an event hosted by La Resistencia and Tsuru for Solidarity brought 60 people to the gates of the camp – gates resting eerily next to train tracks along the heavily polluted Tacoma waterfront. The people present marched to the camp, chanted “Chinga la migra,” followed by an opening ceremony. 

Becca Asaki, whose family was sent to internment camps during World War II, stated she was there because “our struggles are connected. There is a long history of forced removal, and family separation, and mass incarceration, and mass deportation, that my family experienced, that many families have experienced for generations.” 

Protesters also did a hand washing ceremony to honor the hunger strikers both inside and outside along with a grieving ceremony, followed by speeches from inside the detention center and a cultural offering from the detainees. 

“Direct action gets the goods and is the most effective tactic we working-class people have to end the oppression we all face. Now, more than ever, anyone in the Tacoma area who claims to care for their fellow man, must get to the center and stand in solidarity with our brothers detained, because an injury to one is an injury to all,” said Sean Marakin, a member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization who has been out supporting La Resistencia at the encampment. “Geo and ICE can laugh at us, but at the end of the day they are afraid of us,” added Maru Mora-Villalpando. 

Organizers are still camped out outside of the Northwest Detention Center and are urging the community to continue to show up to daily vigils and support the encampment.

#TacomaWA #LaResistencia #ChingaLaMigra #JusticeforCharlesLeoDaniel #ShutDownNWDC

Tacoma, WA – On March 20, about 50 people gathered in Tollefson Plaza for a protest in solidarity with Rafah organized by School Of The Arts Students For A Democratic Society (SOTA SDS). Through this action, the protesters stood in solidarity with the Palestinian resistance and demanded an end of U.S. aid to Israel.

The protest lasted for approximately 90 minutes. During the event, the crowd heard several speeches interspersed with chants. Gemini Gnull, a member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), led the demonstrators in chants such as, “Yemen Yemen, make us proud! Turn another ship around!” and “What do we want? What do we really, really want? Justice!”

To start the rally, Xanat Romo, the co-founder of SOTA SDS, said, “Let me tell you this – they’re counting on us to forget about all this for the genocide to be successful. They’re counting on us to gradually get bored and give up on doing what’s right. But if we shut up, they get away with it, but I’ve never been very good at shutting up. I know it. You know it, too, right? I want them to know it.”

Following this, Mantak Singh, a member of UW Seattle Progressive Student Union, a chapter of New SDS, said, “ Our government provides billions of dollars in aid, our factories produce the bombs and bullets the IOF uses, and here in Tacoma, they even used the port to load up weapons to send on over. This is not a distant conflict. This is a genocide armed and financed right here, in the U.S.”

After another round of chants, Romo explained how he was inspired to start organizing after attending a disruption of city hall. After connecting with organizers there, she learned about how University of Puget Sound Students for a Democratic Society (UPS SDS) disrupted a speaking event of Derek Kilmer, a Zionist congressman, and how that further inspired him to start an SDS chapter before inviting Lauren Garelick, a member of UPS SDS, to speak.

As of now, UPS SDS is facing repression from their university administration with an ongoing investigation regarding the disruption of Kilmer’s speaking event. Regarding this repression, Garelick said, “In the aftermath, the administration has attempted to smear the protesters as ‘violent’ and ‘antisemitic’ and has threatened to dole out further punishment to student organizers as they continue to ‘investigate’ the action. They’ve left us with no doubt as to which side they stand on, but no matter what they do now, the action was a success. A genocidal politician’s lecture was shut down, and many young activists experienced the empowerment of direct action for the first time.”

Despite chilly conditions, the demonstrators kept high morale, using sidewalk chalk to draw a massive Palestine flag on the plaza, and waved home-made signs towards the road. Many cars honked in support while passing by. The rally concluded with more chanting, including “There is only one solution, Intifada revolution!” and “Free free Palestine!”

#TacomaWA #WA #AntiWarMovement #StudentMovement #International #MiddleEast #Palestine #HighSchool #SDS #UWPSU #UPSSDS #SOTASDS #FRSO

Tacoma, WA – On Wednesday, February 21, over 100 students and community members gathered to protest a lecture by a Washington state representative, Derek Kilmer, hosted by the University of Puget Sound. Kilmer was originally scheduled to speak at 7 p.m., however, he never got the opportunity after protesters flooded the auditorium and took the stage.

Killmer's record was laid bare in a statement prepared by members of University of Puget Sound (UPS) Students for a Democratic Society (SDS):

“In the year 2021 to 2022, Representative Kilmer received over $45,000 in campaign committee fundraising from his top contributor, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. On October 25, he supported bipartisan Resolution 771 to reaffirm the United States’ support for Israel. On January 23, he signed a bipartisan letter denouncing South Africa’s claims against Israel at the International Court of Justice. He refused to support Resolution 786, which calls for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Palestine.”

“We requested that the university revoke the invitation” said Lauren Garelick, student and founding member of UPS SDS. “UPS’s President Isaiah Crawford refused to do so.”

The crowd gathered in the parking lot adjacent to Schneebeck Hall around 6 p.m. and the campus was filled with chants of “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!” and “Derek Kilmer you can't hide, we charge you with genocide!”

In a blatant act of escalation and intimidation, UPS campus security requested additional force from the Tacoma Police Department (TPD), who were staged at the edge of the parking lot.

As speakers took turns giving rousing speeches, a call-and-response rang through the crowd: “Are we going to let security’s strongly-worded emails stop us?” “Hell no!” “Are we going to let threats of conduct violations stop us?” “Hell no!” “Are we going to let the racist, murderous Tacoma Police Department stop us?” “Hell no!” The crowd then began changing “TPD, KKK, IOF they're all the same!”

The connection between the Israeli occupational forces and police in the U.S. was articulated by UPS SDS member Clem Russel, “As a comrade shouting ‘Free Palestine’ was dragged out of Dallas City Hall on Valentine's Day this past week, the cop apprehending them replied ‘we learned this from Israel.’”

Shortly before 7 p.m., the crowd began marching towards the auditorium, pushing past campus security guards and the blocked doors, before finally gaining access and taking to the stage. For the next 20 minutes, students and community members occupied the auditorium while chanting “Free free Palestine! Long live Palestine'' and “There is only one solution: intifada, revolution!”

Eventually, campus security shut off power, leaving the auditorium in total darkness, and started evacuating the few lecture attendees who remained. After only a moment, the crowd of protesters illuminated the space with a sea of cellphone flashlights. The protest continued.

“We replaced a pro-genocide speaker with a group of students all stomping their feet and demanding better,” said UPS SDS member Annika Freeling. “Those moments on the stage showed just how much power we have when we unite.”

Eventually the crowd exited the auditorium and marched to a plaza outside the nearby library. As protesters were exiting, campus security utilized the sound system of the auditorium to launch a sonic attack, blaring a high-pitched feedback noise which incapacitated two disabled protesters. One student with hearing aids reported immense pain caused by the attack, and another was hospitalized.

“The violent backlash from campus security and administration proves how our institution provides harm over care while we as students and comrades show up for each other firmly and authentically,” said Garelick.

Despite the attacks deployed as protesters were dispersing, spirits remained high and the crowd continued chanting as they gathered outside the library.

“We are moving forward with a stronger sense of community between those committed to the struggle,” said Garelick. “This marks a point in history for UPS. We won't back down until we know collective liberation stands soundly.”

#TacomaWA #AntiWarMovement #International #MiddleEast #Palestine #StudentMovement #SDS

Tacoma, WA – A group of about 30 people disrupted the Tacoma city council meeting Tuesday, February 6, demanding the city issue a statement of support to the Palestinian people and an end to U.S. aid to Israel.

The crowd gathered outside the Tacoma Municipal Building as the council meeting was beginning inside. Demonstrators chanted “Gaza Gaza you will rise, Palestine will never die!” and “Israel bombs, USA pays, How many kids were killed today?” while informational fliers were handed out. The fliers highlighted how over $300 billion in U.S. aid has been sent to Israel since 1948, and that money has been used to kill hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. Of those killed in these attacks, 40% were children.

Demonstrator Cosmo Cali described the importance of this fight, saying “These are people's lives. These people have dreams. These people have children. These people have fears, and they are human, they have blood in their bodies, they are living breathing beings who have come here to exist not to be murdered and destroyed.”

Amira White, another demonstrator, pointed out that the city has “been silent about a lot of things. And honestly, it’s all about the power of the community at this point to continue to speak up and raise awareness.”

The crowd then moved into the council meeting. They marched to the front of the meeting, and in a call-and-response style chant made their demands to the crowded room. Mayor Victoria Woodards called a recess, and the majority of council members left the chambers – except the newly elected city council member Jamika Scott. She stayed to hear out the community's demands for a statement of support to Palestine. “Stop bombing Gaza” echoed through the municipal building as the demonstrators then marched back outside.

Once outside, community members rallied and gave speeches, many of which discussed other upcoming actions in Tacoma. This disruption was part of a week of action called by U.S. Palestinian Community Network, Students for a Democratic Society, and National Alliance Against Racism and Political Repression. As part of this, there were several more events planned in Tacoma and Seattle including a banner drop and a road blockade later that week.

White also linked the genocide in Gaza to other struggles for liberation around the globe, stating, “It's happening here in the United States, it's happening in the Congo, Sudan, Palestine. It’s happening everywhere. And that’s what this country was based on in the first place – genocide and stealing land.”

The connection between the genocide of the indigenous people in the U.S. and Palestine was a common theme. Apo Skye Cyr described their feelings, saying “I feel angry, and ashamed of this country. As an indigenous person I am furious, frankly, that this country was stolen from my ancestors and abused to the point where now it’s happening again.” They described the connection between Israel and the U.S., “The Israeli people really want to ‘be indigenous’- they want to pretend they’re the original people of the land. But if they did care about the land they wouldn’t be destroying olive trees that were hundreds of years old. And like the same thing happened here, colonizers wanted to be from this land but if they really loved it they wouldn’t have slaughtered the bison. They wouldn't have cut the trees. They wouldn’t have destroyed all of our food systems that we had along walking trails. They wouldn’t have destroyed all the knowledge that let us live in harmony with the land. If they really were from here and really cared they wouldn’t have fucked it up.”

As the sun set, the crowd began to disperse, some even preparing for future Palestine actions by borrowing megaphones, walkie talkies, and other equipment. At time of writing, the city of Tacoma has not responded to the community’s demands. Many people do not find this surprising.

“I do say fuck Israel.” Cyr went on to say, “Colonization is the same everywhere. It relies on the same foundation of abuse of power. It’s just another instance of it that needs to be put down.”

#TacomaWA #AntiWarMovement #International #MiddleEast #Palestine #Feature #CityCouncil #WeekOfAction4Palestine

Bellevue, WA – On Friday, January 19, a crowd of about 30 people rallied near the Bridge Industrial office in Bellevue to protest the construction of a mega warehouse complex in South Tacoma.

“Bridge Industrial, corrupt and rude! We don’t like your attitude!” and “If you pollute our neighborhoods, we’ll make sure you’re gone for good!” chants echoed through the glossy skyscrapers that surround the company’s office.

Catelynn Henion from Climate Alliance of the South Sound explained the situation saying, “Bridge Industrial is willing to pave over our wetlands, pollute our neighborhoods, and profit off of the city’s dismissal of South Tacoma.”

Members of Climate Alliance of the South Sound, The Conversation 253, 350Tacoma, Black Panther Party of WA, Issaquah Student League, and many other South Sound communities oppose this project due to its racist and destructive nature.

If completed, this mega warehouse complex would pave over 125 acres of park-like green space in a historically red-lined neighborhood, bringing pollution and traffic, and ultimately lower life expectancies in its wake.

After several speeches, the crowd drummed, chanted and marched to the office building and entered the lobby. The chant “Global warming is war, of the rich upon the poor” rang throughout the entire floor as they entered building.

Once inside, another speaker warned about the horrible health impacts of diesel fuel fumes and other air pollutants – pollutants that would be brought with the 10,000-plus additional vehicle trips caused by the mega warehouse if constructed.

The energetic crowd then moved directly to the Bridge Industrial office, located on the second floor, to demand BI cancel the project. However, no one was in the office. Sources on site said it was because BI had learned about this action and canceled their workday.

Talison Crosby from Climate Alliance of the South Sound spoke about the Bridge Industrial office closure, saying, “Our action cost them an entire day of work. That impacts their bottom line – it costs them money. They haven’t listened to our concerns, so we’re making them listen by speaking in the only language they understand – profit.”

Bellevue police arrived at the scene almost as soon as the protesters entered the building, then issued a dispersal order so the crowd moved back outside the building. There, more speakers shared the importance of fighting racist projects like this, and building towards the future they want and deserve.

Bunchy Carter of the Black Panther Party of Washington said, “The reality is, environmental destruction is imperialistic at its core. The resources, and control of them, mean more than the lives of the masses of poor and oppressed people. We demand the cease of planning the construction of these mega warehouses and an immediate redirection of those funds to empower the communities you are attempting to displace.”

The event was closed out by singing, drumming and chanting “We will not let this warehouse pass, Power to the working class!”

As of today, Bridge Industrial has not begun construction, though the city has approved the permits that will allow them to begin building.

Henion shared her feelings surrounding the future of this fight, stating, “Bridge Industrial is terrified when confronted by those it will impact because they know that there is power in people. As long as this warehouse remains a possibility people will stand up and fight it as they have always done in the face of injustice.”

#BellevueWA #TacomaWA #Environment #CASS #Feature