Seattle rally planned to protest ICE detention centers

A rally is set to descend upon Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s downtown Seattle headquarters Thursday evening, to protest detention centers both in Tacoma and across the country.

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Protesters will be calling for the Washington Legislature to ban private immigration detention centers throughout the state, citing a similar ban recently enacted by Illinois.

The group expects at least 200 people to attend, while roughly 1,300 people have responded as either “going” or “interested” on the event’s Facebook page.

“We can no longer watch as our friends and neighbors are torn from their homes by the Trump Administration,” the event reads. “We can also no longer wait for our politicians to decide when the right time is to solve this crisis. With every child that dies in a cage due to inhumane conditions, we are reminded that the time is now.”

Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant, District 4 council candidate Shaun Scott, and immigration activist Maru Mora Villalpando are among those expected to speak at the rally.

Organizers also expect a counter-protest from an unidentified conservative group to take place at the same time, but are labeling it a “low-risk situation.” Still, they cautioned their own attendees to remain vigilant.

“Let’s not become provokers ourselves,” an organizer said. “We know why we are gathering and who we are gathering for. Let’s not get distracted from our goal or message. Allies, come in the name of peace, protecting our vulnerable communities, and taking care of each other. Bring a buddy and practice safety first.”

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The protest kicks off at 6 p.m. at 2nd Avenue and Spring Street in downtown Seattle.

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