By Max Broennle | FāVS News Reporter
Spokane residents will gather Friday, Feb. 20, for a Freedom from ICE protest, continuing a local movement that has seen weekly demonstrations and bridge actions calling for the defunding of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The protests join a national resistance movement sparked by at least eight deaths connected to ICE since the start of the year, including the high-profile killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, according to The Guardian.
Weekly protests continue every Monday at the Division and Ruby median, where demonstrators hold signs and rally against ICE’s presence in American cities. Additional events can be found on Spokane County Democrats’ website.
On Feb. 6, people gathered on the Monroe Street Bridge holding signs with the names of people who have died in ICE custody. The following day, the Spokane Visibility Brigade hung signs on the Thor and Freya overpass that read, “ICE camps kill.”
The demonstrations have drawn residents with varied motivations, united by opposition to ICE operations.
“I strongly oppose all forms of oppression, and I see this government as the pinnacle of it,” said Jeremiah Harding, a protester who attended a Feb. 1 gathering.
Becky Banta attended the Feb. 1 protest with her transgender son, describing how her faith led her to support both her child and other marginalized communities.
“There’s these haters who are trying to make it hard for them and, you know, they make them feel like they’re nothing when they’re not — they’re everything,” Banta said. “I just feel that God is loving and he doesn’t hate.”
Some protesters held signs addressing the opposition party’s use of Christianity to justify recent actions.
Dovavon Garner carried a sign reading “Declaration of Barmen,” referencing a call to resistance against the theological claims of the Nazi state, according to the First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia.
“It’s basically talking about separation of church and state in the context of Nazi Germany,” Garner said. “But I feel like there’s some relevance today. Particularly when you think about Christian nationalism.”
Queer resistance was also visible as many rainbow flags flew at demonstrations. After a year of increased anti-trans legislation nationwide, this remained on many protesters’ minds. The Williams Institute reported that 24 states either increased or created new anti-trans legislation in 2025, a pattern continuing into 2026.
Cynthia Manycolors handed out coffee and hot cocoa at a Jan. 31 protest in BA Clark Park with the Washington Coalition for Police Accountability. In 2023, her son, Bjorn Manycolors, was killed by Spokane police after being stopped as officers searched for someone with an outstanding warrant. She has protested police or state-sanctioned violence monthly since.
She talked about the importance of community support in fending off hopelessness and isolation through difficult political evolutions.
“When people see that they are not alone, they’re more likely to be brave in their voting, to be brave in talking to their relatives who have uneducated ideas and to be brave in their lives and in helping others,” Manycolors said.
Protester Megan Zumbiel emphasized the need for humanity despite political differences.
“I think it is very important that, even though we don’t agree on [politics], we still also need to view them as human,” Zumbiel said.
The nationwide strike occurred Jan. 30, with protests continuing over that weekend in all 50 states. Thousands of organizations led the charge, including Central Washington Resistance and the 43rd District Democrats.
In Spokane, ICE actions have been seen and felt by the community.
Karla Tuil Baltazar, a 10-year-old Spokane student, was taken by ICE in early January. Though she has since been released, her story remains a reminder to Spokane residents that national ICE actions are affecting local communities.
As cars passed demonstrations, drivers gave thumbs up, friendly honks or middle fingers to protesters on sidewalks. The demonstrators continued making noise regardless of the reaction.
One child held a sign that said “be nice to everyone.” Protesters seemed to agree with the sentiment.
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