Immigration activists formed a human chain Tuesday in front of Seattle’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices in downtown Seattle to call for an end to local enforcement actions and deportations.
“Although Seattle and King County claim to be ‘sanctuaries’ for immigrants, the Seattle Police Department and the King County Sheriff actively collaborate on joint task forces with this branch of ICE leading to prosecutions and deportations,” organizers said on their Facebook event.
Immigration rights activists have been calling attention to the cooperation of local agencies with immigration offices, including the Department of Licensing, despite reassurances of policies barring unnecessary sharing of information with immigration authorities.
The state licensing agency shared personal driver’s license information with immigration authorities, which was discovered publicly after deportation proceedings began against prominent local activist Maru Mora-Villalpando.
Nine activists were arrested after participation in Tuesday morning’s protest, which included creating a human chain reinforced with handcuffs and PVC pipe that blocked 2nd Avenue for several hours. The activists were removed from the street and arrested after the Seattle Police Department dismantled some of the connections.
Several dozen supporters also demonstrated on the sidewalk, carrying signs that said “Chinga la migra” and “ICE lives here.”
More photos of the protest are here, and a few of the photos are republished below with permission.
