On June 11, 2025, protesters attempted to stop Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from taking two detained young men who were in the US legally to the ICE detention facility in Tacoma.
We reported from the ground for nearly twelve hours as federal agents shoved protesters and the media and threatened federal charges against Spokanites choosing civil disobedience. Hours later, local law enforcement descended on the streets around protesters, using less lethal munitions and chemical agents to disperse the crowd.
More than 30 people were arrested that night on charges like Failure to Disperse, with two of them additionally charged with “unlawful imprisonment.” And one month later, the federal government arrested nine people now known as the Spokane 9 on suspicion of “conspiracy to impede or injure officers.” Two of the nine were also charged with “assault on a federal officer.” All nine initially pled not guilty and were awaiting trial. In December, four of the nine took plea deals.
The Spokane arrests represent a significant escalation in the Department of Justice’s crackdown on protesters. Outside of the arrest of Los Angeles union leader David Huerta, there appear to be no other recent examples of protesters being charged solely with the federal crime of “conspiracy to impede or assault law enforcement officers.”
RANGE is committed to continue covering the aftermath of these protests, the cases and the federal government’s increasing pressure on our community members.