Spokane Protests and the Federal Trial

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, six of the nine took plea deals. The remaining three defendants are set to go to trial on May 18, 2026.

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. Scroll down for our latest coverage.

What you need to know before the Spokane 3 trial

The charges, the protesters, the background, the legal terminology — your cheat sheet to court.

RANGE MediaErin Sellers

Everything we know about the Spokane ICE protests – RANGE Media

Over 24 hours of boots-on-the-ground independent reporting.

RANGE MediaErin Sellers

The trial

Trial of the Spokane 3, Day 1: ‘Please do not bring in politics. Please do not bring in politics.’

Jury selection for the Spokane 3 Trial will bleed over into day two as lawyers probe the jury pool for bias, and jurors share fun facts, favorite movies and interesting takes.

RANGE MediaErin Sellers

Trial of the Spokane 3, Day 1: Deputy said ‘I want to hit someone with a stick’ during protest

Sheriff’s Deputy body camera footage ruled admissible in court. Plus, witnesses appointed legal council after warnings they could be investigated for protesting on June 11, too.

RANGE MediaErin Sellers

What you need to know before the Spokane 3 trial

The charges, the protesters, the background, the legal terminology — your cheat sheet to court.

RANGE MediaErin Sellers

We’ll see you in court

A note on the subpoena we were threatened with, why we fought it, and what comes next.

RANGE MediaLuke Baumgarten

Judge sets parameters as Spokane 3 head to trial May 18

Can Bajun Malvalwalla II talk about his military history, do courtroom sketches count as doxxing and other important First Amendment questions discussed at one of the final hearings before the trial.

RANGE MediaErin Sellers

In the weeds of Spokane’s federal conspiracy case

The ins-and-outs of the legal arguments made at yesterday’s hearing for three Spokane protesters charged with federal conspiracy.

RANGE MediaErin Sellers

Judge rules Spokane 9 case will go to trial

Multiple motions to dismiss federal charges against 3 of the 9 protesters arrested on June 11 were denied, a jury will decide whether responding to a Facebook post was conspiracy.

RANGE MediaErin Sellers

Judge to hear motion of dismissal in Spokane 9 federal conspiracy case

‘Time-worn and protected methods of civil disobedience,’ or violent federal conspiracy? Federal judge could dismiss charges against the Spokane 9 next week as May trial date approaches.

RANGE MediaErin Sellers

The latest on Joswar & Cesar

Joswar Torres, one of the Spokane immigrants detained on June 11, has been released on parole – RANGE Media

Torres was wrongfully detained in violation of his Fifth Amendment rights, a district court ruled Thursday.

RANGE MediaErin Sellers

The federal arrests

Five of the Spokane 9 accept plea deals – RANGE Media

ICE protesters facing federal charges made a hard choice, but some fear a chilling effect: ‘They want to frighten people so they are afraid to use their First Amendment rights.’

RANGE MediaAaron Hedge

All 9 Spokane protesters plead not guilty to federal charges – RANGE Media

The June 11 ICE protesters arrested in a US Marshal sweep will face a jury trial. 7 were released Tuesday; 2 will be held in custody until at least Friday.

RANGE MediaAaron Hedge

9 Spokanites arrested by federal agents in connection to ICE protests – RANGE Media

The arrestees include Justice Forral, Erin Lang and former city council president Ben Stuckart, who were all arrested during the June 11 protests. Organizer Jac Archer, who was not arrested June 11, was also arrested this morning.

RANGE MediaLuke Baumgarten

The local arrests

Queer BIPOC organizer arrested on their way to Spokane Pride – RANGE Media

Spokane Police officers arrested Justice Forral on a warrant from the county Sheriff’s Office for new 3rd degree assault charges leveled against Forral for the anti-ICE protest on Wednesday.

RANGE MediaErin Sellers

Justice Forral pleads not guilty to ‘unlawful imprisonment’ charges from ICE protests – RANGE Media

The activist appeared for a third time in court in as many weeks on June 25 to face the felony accusations.

RANGE MediaAaron Hedge

Spokane police held protesters’ phones more than a week – RANGE Media

At recent high-profile immigration protests, SPD arrested more than 40 people and confiscated some of their phones. A week and half later, some protesters have gotten them back, but many demonstrators still don’t know where the phones are.

RANGE MediaAaron Hedge

The aftermath

The POD: About Last ICE (protest) – RANGE Media

We talk the background, timeline and aftermath of Wednesday’s protests against ICE.

RANGE MediaRANGE

POD: Protest to Politics – RANGE Media

Luke chats with Ben Stuckart on the Spokane ICE protests and how the two refugees are doing after being detained by ICE and taken to Tacoma.

RANGE MediaRANGE

POD: The questions we’re all asking about the Spokane protests w/ Police Chief Hall – RANGE Media

The use of force by law enforcement during the June 11 and 14 protests in Spokane has left our community with lots of questions regarding protesting and

RANGE MediaRANGE

Q&A with SPD Chief Kevin Hall on ICE and the protests – RANGE Media

What happens when Kootenai Sheriffs come to town? How far do WA’s sanctuary state laws go? Do local cops ever know when ICE is going to take action? We found out answers to those questions and more.

RANGE MediaLuke Baumgarten

The Pod: A Human Rights Commissioner on the events of this week – RANGE Media

Anwar Peace, a police accountability expert, talks arrests of several Spokanites who participated in the June 11 ICE protests.

RANGE MediaRANGE

The Pod: Protest Safety 101 and holding the cops accountable for state violence at protests – RANGE Media

hadley morrow, a local organizer, talks about protest safety and filing a complaint with the Office of Police Ombuds.

RANGE MediaRANGE

The POD: Developments in Spokane’s federal conspiracy case

Plus, what’s going on with the Pursuit Church?

RANGE MediaRANGE

How to help

What you can do: protect immigrants locally – RANGE Media

Join a Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network rapid response team, which empower individuals to engage in immigrant defense

RANGE MediaClarinne Kirk

How to take action against injustice today – RANGE Media

What you can do to support local immigrants and activists targeted by the federal government this afternoon and beyond.

RANGE MediaErin Sellers