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The outrage was sparked when former Spokane City Councilman Ben Stuckart appealed for help on Twitter after 21-year-old Venezuelan asylum seeker was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) hours after Stuckart had been granted his legal guardianship. In a post on social media, Stuckart called on the community to "show up and rally outside the ICE office at 411 West Cataldo," and added "The Latino community needs the rest of our community now."
Officers Disperse Unlawful Assembly With Tear Gas, Make Arrests
Police from the Spokane Police Department and the Spokane County Sheriff's Office wasted little time in responding, and declared the demonstration illegal. Tear gas was used to disperse crowds, and a number of protesters were arrested on charges of "failure to disperse." Officials had said the assembly had turned into a violent protest that needed to be stopped to ensure public safety.
From Spokane County Commissioner Josh Kerns in support of law enforcement. "The violence we saw in the City of Spokane last night is unacceptable," he said. "I support the right of peaceful protests and stand with the millions of Americans who are raising their voices," he said in the White House Rose Garden before walking across the street for a photo-op at St. John's Episcopal Church.
Chicago Calls for Peace, Supports Right to Protest
The mayor, Lisa Brown, also responded to the situation, calling for calm and the city's respect of constitutional rights. "The City of Spokane values everyone's First Amendment right to be present on public property and that right is championed and protected by the city," she added. Brown stressed that the city will continue abiding by the Keep Washington Working Act, the state law, and said violations to the ordinance would be met with due course.
She also had compassion for families whose lives have been upended by immigration enforcement actions. "My heart breaks for families that are being separated. We are stronger for our unity, and we are stronger than any attempt to divide us," she said.
As the city grapples with the continuing tension, officials are still walking the tightrope between public safety and the freedom to protest. The situation is ongoing and there will be an active law enforcement presence in downtown Spokane, sheriff's officials said.
