Seattle Teachers’ March Halts Capitol Hill Traffic, Calls for ICE Abolition
Updated (5 articles)
Massive Educator‑Led March Disrupts Capitol Hill Traffic On Saturday, February 1, a protest organized by Seattle teachers gathered as many as 3,000 participants at the Broadway‑East Pine intersection, shutting down east‑west and southbound vehicle flow and prompting the Seattle Department of Transportation to advise detours; police declared the demonstration peaceful and cleared traffic by 3:30 p.m. [1]
Demonstrators Demand ICE Abolition and City‑Wide Immigrant Protections Teachers marched west on Pine Street, then south on 2nd Avenue, brandishing signs that called for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement; organizer Julianna Double, an 8th‑grade science teacher, described the event as “new Saturday recreation,” while Mayor Katie Wilson’s recent executive order bans federal immigration officials from city property and allocates $4 million for legal defense of immigrants [1]
Earlier Anti‑ICE Rally Gathered Hundreds Outside Federal Building On January 27, a separate rally assembled hundreds of protesters outside the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building for about an hour, remaining peaceful with no arrests; demonstrators chanted “ICE out,” urged Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell to block ICE funding, and featured speakers Roxana Norouzi of OneAmerica and musician Cameron Lavi‑Jones, who emphasized concrete action against immigration enforcement [2]
Both Events Emphasize Peaceful Direct Action and Legislative Pressure The February march and the January rally shared a non‑violent approach, focused chants, and calls for federal lawmakers to restrict ICE budgets; each event highlighted community solidarity, with the larger march expanding the protest’s scale while maintaining the same peaceful tone observed at the earlier gathering [1][2]
Sources
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1.
King5: Seattle educators’ march blocks Capitol Hill traffic, gathers up to 3,000 – Details the February 1 demonstration that halted traffic, drew up to 3,000 teachers and supporters, and linked the protest to Mayor Wilson’s immigrant‑protection measures
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2.
King5: Seattle anti‑ICE rally draws hundreds outside federal building – Describes the January 27 rally of several hundred participants outside the federal building, their chants against ICE funding, and remarks from organizers and musicians urging legislative action
Timeline
Jan 8, 2026 – ICE agents open fire on a driver in Minneapolis, killing a 37‑year‑old man; video shows agents confronting a Honda Pilot before multiple gunshots, prompting nationwide outrage and sparking immediate protests in Seattle later that evening [5].
Jan 8, 2026 – Hundreds gather near the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building in downtown Seattle to protest the Minneapolis ICE shooting; demonstrators chant “ICE out” and demand the agency leave “everywhere,” while Rep. Pramila Jayapal calls the incident “like outright murder” [5].
Early Jan 2026 – Mayor Katie Wilson signs an executive order banning federal immigration officials from using city property, tasks police with investigating ICE activity, and allocates $4 million for legal defense and support for immigrant communities, creating a municipal framework for the upcoming protests [1].
Jan 24, 2026 – West Seattle Indivisible leads a march from Hiawatha Playfield to The Junction, with speakers invoking the Minneapolis killing of Alex Pretti as “murder” that “cemented our resolve,” and chants of “We’re Still Standing,” “Defend Democracy,” and “Abolish ICE” echo through multiple neighborhoods; smaller rallies also appear in Renton [3][4].
Jan 25, 2026 – About 200 protesters block southbound traffic on 2nd Avenue at Madison Street, halting vehicles until shortly before 8 p.m.; after the blockage they march north to 4th Avenue and Cherry Street, and Mayor Wilson says she is “horrified” by the Minneapolis killing but “inspired” by the demonstrations, urging residents to monitor ICE activity [4].
Jan 27, 2026 – Hundreds assemble outside the federal building for a one‑hour anti‑ICE rally organized in under 24 hours; Roxana Norouzi says she feels “angry” and “heartbroken” over families torn apart, and musician Cameron Lavi‑Jones urges the crowd to turn the protest into “concrete steps,” as chants demand Senators Murray and Cantwell block any ICE funding [2].
Jan 31, 2026 – Up to 3,000 Seattle educators and allies march west on Pine Street, block east‑west and north‑south traffic at Broadway‑East Pine and later on 2nd Avenue, and peacefully disperse by 3:30 p.m.; organizer Julianna Double calls the event a “new Saturday recreation,” while signs call for ICE abolition and the city’s earlier executive order provides legal backing for immigrant protections [1].
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