SEATTLE — First they blocked the entrance to the building that houses a federal immigration court and offices for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Then they blocked traffic on busy downtown streets and marched for a few blocks.
But Seattle police did not arrest any of the more than 35 immigrant advocates who were expecting to be arrested Thursday in order to make a statement about immigration reform — a bit to the chagrin of the organizers.
“I think there was a political decision from the city not to arrest anyone,” said David Ayala, an activist for OneAmerica, a Seattle-based immigrant advocacy group. “I think the 35 people who were ready to be arrested did what they could to be arrested, but the city didn’t want to.”
Ayala, though, was pleased overall with the rally, which attracted about 250 people from across the region, including undocumented immigrants and immigrant advocates from a mix of religious, union and immigrant advocacy groups.
It was uplifting to see people risk arrest for immigration reform, he said.
The rally comes nearly two weeks after two Seattle police officers were recorded on video kicking a Latino man and using a racist slur. The officer who used the racist slur publicly apologized, but minority groups here have still heavily criticized police.
Mayor Mike McGinn’s office referred questions to Seattle police officials, who did not return phone calls or e-mails asking about their response to the rally. ICE spokeswoman Lorie Dankers said the agency would not comment on the rally.
The “civil disobedience” rally was part of coordinated nationwide efforts to continue the push for immigration reform. People rallied in Los Angeles, New York and Baltimore, among other cities.
The rally began outside the Federal Building then moved to a nearby building that houses an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency office and court.
A group that included Seattle City Councilman Larry Gossett locked arms during the noon hour and blocked the elevators. They chanted “Obama, you promised; you’ve got to keep your promise!” among other chants. They sang in Spanish and English. They blocked the entrance to the building for more than an hour, but there was no police presence.
Supporters carried signs that say “Immigration Reform Now” and “America Show Your Morals.”
The rally was organized by the OneAmerica, which is calling for pressure on the Obama administration to pass an immigration reform bill this year.
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