More than 100 people gathered Friday morning, May 1, along Tukwila International Boulevard for a May Day rally calling for an end to federal immigration enforcement operations in local communities.
The demonstration stretched roughly two blocks along public sidewalks between the Department of Homeland Security regional office and Sabey Corporation properties in Tukwila, according to organizers.
The Coalition to Block ICE Expansion said the rally focused on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in King County and on Sabey Corporation’s role as a commercial landlord leasing office space to ICE in Tukwila.
Participants lined the corridor during the morning commute with signs, drums and bullhorns, calling for ICE to leave local communities and for Sabey to end its lease agreements.
“While you’re not working, shopping, or attending class, show up for your immigrant neighbors on May Day,” the Coalition to Block ICE Expansion said in a statement. “As long as the U.S. government continues to send masked goons to terrorize our neighbors, businesses, and schools, and corporations like Sabey profit from it all, this community will fight back.”
Organizers said the action was part of an ongoing campaign that includes protests, community monitoring of ICE activity and public testimony related to immigration enforcement and commercial partnerships.
The coalition stated that the rally was conducted as a peaceful, nonviolent action, with trained safety personnel present to monitor the event and help deescalate any issues.
Photos courtesy Southend Indivisible.
