45 Replies to "VIDEO: Another Alki pro-immigrant march"

• Workdowntown February 8, 2025 (3:45 pm)

  So proud of you guys!!

• KW February 8, 2025 (4:11 pm)

  That’s awesome! 

• WSCurmudgeon February 8, 2025 (4:23 pm)

  I absolutely support the immigrant communities in protesting this regime’s illegal and deliberately cruel policies.  They are making all of us less safe, and very soon the economy will be seriously damaged by higher costs for food and imported goods. The organizers of the marches should let the Indivisible organizers know about the marches ahead of time,  and a lot of us will join them. 

  • Enough February 8, 2025 (5:23 pm)

    WSCurmudgeon, I’ll GLADLY pay higher prices so unscrupulous employers stop hiring undocumented workers at illegal wages far below the legal minimum, not paying workman’s compensation, cheating them of overtime, etc, etc.  You shouldn’t rely on slavery just so you can save a few bucks on groceries.

    • West Seattle Mad Sci Guy February 8, 2025 (7:32 pm)

      This gets complicated though. A lot of folks working these illegal positions have ‘borrowed’ a social security number and are paying taxes. Maybe here for decades. Is it fair for legal immigration? No. But. It is complicated. I’m not out there protesting but I’m rooting for some of them. 

    • CAM February 8, 2025 (8:09 pm)

      You are aware that people who have legal status in the US and are not breaking any laws by being here are being arrested and detained in for profit prisons to fund the ever increasing demands for larger shareholder returns, right? That people who are in this country legally awaiting asylum petitions or immigration court proceedings are being arrested without any legal basis? That people who are citizens of the US (say from Puerto Rico) are being arrested, transported, and then detained before being given the opportunity to prove legal status and then when being released are told to find/fund their own transportation home? That people who are not citizens are given temporary visas to come to the US for the specific purpose of planting, tending, and harvesting crops during certain parts of the year? That because of these unconstitutional (i.e., illegal) arrests and that ICE and DHS are specifically targeting places with higher percentages of immigrants populations, that people here with green cards or some other form of legal residency are living in fear and are avoiding going places? 

      • GW February 9, 2025 (10:26 am)

        I can confirm this. I know someone working in a state immigration detention center and was told ~80% of newly detained folks have no violent crime record. That’s what happens when ICE is given quotas to meet.

    • flimflam February 9, 2025 (7:00 am)

      I can’t speak for all industries but as a vet of 25+ years in restaurant kitchens, you couldn’t be more incorrect. Everyone, and i mean EVERYONE, has to fill out tax forms, etc and NOBODY is being paid sub minimum wage. I’m nit sure where you get your information or are just assuming but i can assure you you are completely wrong as far as restaurants go. Owners are def not interested in being open for fraud, etc just to save a couple of dollars per hour…

  • alkiannie February 8, 2025 (8:15 pm)

    I would join if I knew as well. However, I respect the fact that they may not publicize in advance for fear of their safety.  It gives ICE or racist jerks a chance to mobilize and confront them – or worse. 

• Joe February 8, 2025 (5:22 pm)

  I guess I don’t see the point of marching around here. It’s like they’re preaching to the choir. Go to Washington DC or a red state and it might actually make a difference.

  • Connected February 8, 2025 (6:03 pm)

    Hey Joe, I was one of the marchers today. I didn’t plan on doing so but I was down on Alki for lunch and saw the group so I joined em. Here’s why I did so …. I felt part of a community. It was my way of letting my community know that they are not alone. As I was walking, and talking to those around me, I was able to connect with people. People who hold some of the same values as I do. And that reinforced how important it is to act on my values; for about 2 hrs today, I didn’t feel like life was happening TO me, I was living out loud. And I needed that feeling — it felt good and was energizing. I hope others will find a way to recharge in our community, to act. 

    • TM February 8, 2025 (6:43 pm)

      That’s an awesome report Connected, thanks for taking the time to comment. I need to go to the next one.

      • Resist February 9, 2025 (11:22 am)

        Hey Alki Protesters- We want to march with you. Maybe let West Seattle Blog when the next protest will be? This community stands with you. 

    • 22blades February 8, 2025 (8:59 pm)

      Connected, Thank you. This is bigger than an assault on human  decency or even existing laws. I had an earlier post responded back as the words enshrined on the Statue of Liberty were merely a poem. It is a mirror of who we are. Again, thank you.

  • alkiannie February 8, 2025 (8:13 pm)

    All protests matter. They keep awareness and resistance energy high. They also have the potential or reaching social media or broadcast news which does reach others in other places. If you would rather protest live in Washington DC or Idaho, please do so. Not all of us have the means to. Otherwise, pipe down, Mr Negative.

  • Peter February 8, 2025 (8:15 pm)

    I so agree with this comment. Doesn’t make much sense to protest in West Seattle. 

    • CAM February 8, 2025 (9:47 pm)

      Care to explain why you think Seattle is a mystical wonderland that is immune to the problems the rest of the country is facing? https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/ice-contractor-flight-to-seattle-may-signal-wa-detention-center-will-fill-up/

    • SeaLady February 10, 2025 (6:55 am)

      At first thought Peter, you’re right. But then look at the discussion here. things start small…always. People see others, then follow. It’s a start. We’re in trouble America. Including here in Seattle. Pay attention to voices on the side. Especially academic experts. Yes, they matter. Mainstream media is missing the deepest darkest stories. 

  • Jay February 10, 2025 (11:44 am)

    A quarter of King County is MAGA and there are a lot of hate crimes here, from a representative being targeted by armed harassers to pride flags getting torn down and a crazy man storming into a daycare that had a pride flag outside.

• Vee February 8, 2025 (6:32 pm)

  Just read seattle times re 2 arrests and then threatening g protesters to stay put of street or would use tear gas etc. I was down there around 230 and protestors seemed calm and it wasinspiringI know police probably were trying  to prevent something  happening but this seemed like a calm crowd and I feel police were too aggressive  and may have caused problems that weren’t necessary I remember the protestors awhile back  who blocked seattle traffic and on ramps for hours and nothing happened 

  • WSB February 8, 2025 (6:44 pm)

    I have a wrapup inquiry out to SPD as I did last week and will add whatever I hear back. Final radio exchange I heard had officers describing it as “peaceful” (this was some time after the arrest I mentioned above) … TR

  • JS February 9, 2025 (9:14 pm)

    I was there and right next to the police when they started engaging. I did not see or hear any fight when we were at the Luna Park pier. Not saying it didn’t happen, but I didn’t see anything that even seemed like a fight. As we were marching back to the beach to end the protest, the police suddenly appeared, and at least two officers walked into the crowd. They detained one person and started walking the person out of the crowd. It was incredibly jarring since there was nothing disturbing happening from the crowd. The crowd turned to watch and moved towards where the police were patting down the person. SPD did have their department patches on, but they were not highly visible, so it was reasonable for people in the crowd to become concerned that they were ICE or some other non-local police. More officers suddenly showed up. I believe there were two large, unmarked vans, one unmarked street car, one SUV. Several officers were involved. At least one more marked vehicle eventually got involved as well as a marked SUV with the loudspeaker. People absolutely were in the street, but no one I saw was aggressive. Civilian vehicles were able to drive through and largely seemed supportive of the protestors. From what I could see, far more people were on the sidewalk or the side of the road than were in the road blocking traffic. Eventually the loudspeaker vehicle began calling for people to get off the road or get arrested. I do not know how the 2nd person arrested was picked since there were other people in the road, but it happened a bit away from the bulk of the crowd. Overwhelmingly, the crowd was calm, and the organizers kept people engaged in peaceful chants. Lots of people were filming, and I only saw a few people interacting with individual officers. As a civilian watching this whole thing unfold literally right in front of me, I would say the police escalated the situation. There were calls that they got the wrong person involved in the fight, and I have not see any accounts of what actually happened during the alleged fight. Given it was a protest against law enforcement, and with fears so high of ICE sweeps, entering the crowd all of a sudden like they did absolutely escalated the situation. I’m not saying SPD didn’t have a right to arrest the person (I don’t know), but I do not see how they picked the least invasive path to their goal. @psl.seattle on Instagram is a great way to keep up with the protest schedules. They have been helping with the ICE protests specifically and organize other events on a range of issues. I really hope they keep these marches happening at Alki. For years, Alki has been a United Nations of people coming together to enjoy the waterfront, so it’s a great place to bring people together to fight for our communities. Great work by everyone who came and stayed calm and focused!

• Rob February 8, 2025 (8:03 pm)

  It’s all about the law. We are a country run by laws. We are a country of laws. You can’t pick an chooses  whichever ones to follow.  Once  that happens  we’ll I guess then anything  goes. 

  • K February 8, 2025 (9:08 pm)

    We have a President ignoring the law and doing whatever he wants regardless of the constitutionality of it.  That’s why there are protests.  If the President was following the law, and leaving other people who were following the law alone, there would not be a protest.

  • I Prefer Animals February 9, 2025 (2:23 am)

    The President of this country is a convicted felon who incited an insurrection to overthrow our democracy. The argument that we are a country of laws is laughable and hypocritical. The bar for honesty, integrity, and dignity is set so low under this President and new administration that it’s practically underground. It’s so convenient for some to “forget” that we live on land stolen from Indigenous peoples. If you’re not Indigenous, then at some point there was an immigrant in your ancestral line. I stand in solidarity with all immigrants who come here in pursuit of a better, safer life for themselves and their families. 

  • Ly February 9, 2025 (8:47 am)

    This is such a hypocritical comment. How many hundreds stormed the Capital on Jan 6th, broke laws and fatally injured others and yet they all got pardoned by Trump. Cherry picking laws it looks like. Why is that ok for those people to do that? They’re above the law? We’ve seen evidence that Trump believes he is above the law. He can break the law, and his followers can break the law, but others can’t. 

  • Nyan February 10, 2025 (12:07 pm)

    Hey Rob, I’ll bear in mind how important laws are when living as a trans person who has been told via EO that my gender is “illegal”. I’ll bear that in mind as the government tells me what bathroom I am allowed to use. I’ll bear in mind how important it is to follow the law as my reproductive rights are taken away. I’ll bear that in mind as I continue to have less and less access to gender affirming care in the US. The law is so important and correct always, you’re so right. 🙄

• Dog Whisperer February 8, 2025 (8:30 pm)

  We expect local law enforcement to cooperate and coordinate with federal law enforcement. Somehow, in the warped world of progressive politics, removing predators from our communities is deemed “controversial.” Arresting child rapists , gang members, and drug traffickers has become a rallying cry for Democrats who insist these deportations violate “human rights.” You’d think protecting law-abiding families—immigrants and citizens alike—would be common sense. 

• WestSide 4 life February 8, 2025 (8:52 pm)

  I am often amazed at what this community supports and rallys behind. Could you imagine if the same support or marches occurred for our failing youth in education? Or a concerted effort to get our community center ( Hiawatha) open after 4+ years of bureaucracy? Or how about a   “march”  to help our local at risk legal citizens ?Regardless of your political affiliation, this is a devise issue and frankly has a minimal impact compared to issues that have a HUGE impact on our local community. 

  • Admiralmom February 8, 2025 (11:01 pm)

    West side for life/Admiral 2009- instead of complaining…what don’t you initiate something. Devise issue? Says who? Just because it may not impact you doesn’t mean it won’t make an impact for others. Privilege much? Selfish much? The self-centeredness is what’s the problem with this world. So annoying 

    • Ly February 9, 2025 (8:57 am)

      Yup. West Side is very privileged. She/he does not worry about real life impacts but would rather drag down other events that matter to others. There is also a huge lack of curiosity on why this matters to so many others. 

  • alkiannie February 9, 2025 (12:28 am)

    Many of the attendees, Westside 4 Life, are Latino. They may live in West Seattle or they may live in another part of the city. Either way, this certainly affects them and they have a right to protest in one of the most visible public parks in the Seattle metro area. I admire and support them. You are welcome to organize a protest for the Hiawatha center (I’m sorry, how is that a *huge* issue in our community compared to the threat of deportation for neighbors, again?). I have certainly attended protests for the local schools and the violence – here in West Seattle. Maybe you missed those?

  • Ly February 9, 2025 (8:55 am)

    Rallying for Hiawatha Community Center, a gathering place for community events versus rallying to support for families whose entire lives are upended by the recent events? Hmm 🤔 let’s see… which one has higher stakes and bigger impact? Really? If the closure of that center turned your family’s life upside down and split your family apart why don’t you organize a protest? 

  • Bbron February 9, 2025 (8:54 pm)

    What about organizing around those issues yourself? other folks acted on their concerns and did something; how does that detract from others taking up action for their concerns instead of waiting until someone does it for them?

• WSPK February 8, 2025 (9:04 pm)

  Rob, the way your comment is written does not make it clear as to which laws you are referring. As stated above, many people who are here legally are being targeted illegally. That, and many of the actions currently taking place within the federal government are clearly and blatantly illegal. Do you know who else entered this country illegally? Elon Musk and Melania Knuss.

• Admiral-2009 February 8, 2025 (10:26 pm)

  WestSide 4 life – agreed

• Barb February 8, 2025 (10:29 pm)

  Wish I knew how to join these people. 

• Marcus February 9, 2025 (4:16 am)

  Please protest! Do not block the street, do not do anything to get arrested. If you are not white your immigration status and citizenship will be checked. Make your voice known but do not temp fate in this political environment. Be very smart.

• NW February 9, 2025 (7:34 am)

  When have we as a community with events over the summer months and beyond invited Mexican/Latino cultural music to for example the West Seattle Summer Fest or the weekend festival at Holy Rosary? When have we invited Mariachi or Banda Sinaloense to Admiral Association events or Morgan Association? Where have we as citizens in the 98116 bridged that gap and delved into Mexican and Latino Culture instead of just going out for Mexican Food? 

• AlkiD February 9, 2025 (1:55 pm)

  There were protest posters out on social media before this protest; if interested, follow Latinos for Palestine and the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) who sponsored the protest.

• Watertowerjim February 9, 2025 (6:14 pm)

  Who’s not “pro immigrant”?

• Derek February 10, 2025 (6:58 am)

  I do not understand why people get mad about traffic being blocked. It’s literally the point of the protest. All protests are supposed to disrupt. They aren’t supposed to just sit on the side of the road for car horn honks. 

  • Bender February 11, 2025 (7:16 am)

    Block my road and see what happens

• Admiral-2009 February 10, 2025 (10:09 am)

  Derek blocking a street/highway is a life safety issue as well a potential to result in a violent confrontation that serves no ones interest.;

  • Derek February 10, 2025 (12:27 pm)

    People concern troll ambulances during protests but the truth is most protesters move for those. And I will believe safety is a priority when homeless aren’t left to rot or deportations aren’t threatened or Medicaid isn’t cut or Gaza isn’t genocided etc etc etc. That sentiment is always anti protesting at the root. Disruption to commerce and consumption is always THE point.

Sorry, comment time is over.