The city of Spokane, Washington, found itself in a state of emergency on Wednesday night following a surge of protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The demonstrations, sparked by a call to action from former city councilman Ben Stuckart, quickly escalated, leading Mayor Lisa Brown to impose a curfew from 9:30 PM to 5 AM.
Stuckart’s call for support stemmed from the detention of a Venezuelan asylum seeker whom he had recently become the legal guardian for. His social media post urged community members to join him in a protest outside the ICE office, leading to a large gathering that soon overwhelmed local authorities.
The protests, concentrated in the downtown area and Riverfront Park, involved a significant number of participants and quickly became unruly. Spokane Police Department (SPD) and the county sheriff’s office responded, characterizing the gathering as unlawful and taking several protesters into custody for failing to disperse. Tear gas was deployed by law enforcement to control the escalating situation.
Spokane County Commissioner Josh Kerns released a statement condemning the violence and destruction, while simultaneously affirming citizens’ First Amendment rights to peaceful protest. He expressed support for law enforcement officers working to maintain order and safety. Mayor Brown also issued a statement acknowledging the protests and emphasizing the city’s commitment to upholding First Amendment rights while also addressing violations of city codes. She stressed the importance of maintaining peace and expressed sympathy for families impacted by immigration separations.
The situation highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration policy and ICE enforcement in the United States. The rapid escalation from a call for support to a state of emergency underscores the complex and sensitive nature of these issues, and the potential for peaceful demonstrations to quickly turn violent. The arrests and deployment of tear gas serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by law enforcement in managing large-scale protests.
