Thousands of individuals across the country participated in a massive "no work, no school, no shopping" boycott on January 30 to protest federal immigration enforcement and recent fatal shootings,. The movement, which included more than 300 protest sites across nearly every U.S. state, was organized to pressure national leaders to "stop funding ICE" and remove federal agents from local communities.

In a local display of this movement, students from Chief Sealth High School and Denny Middle School marched with banners to the parking lot at the Nino Cantu Athletic Complex. During this gathering, student speakers voiced their opposition to the tactics employed by ICE and the recent events in Minnesota that served as a catalyst for the national demonstrations.

A National Movement Triggered by Tragedy

The nationwide demonstrations were primarily triggered by the fatal shootings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis. In that city alone, reporting indicates that thousands of people took to the streets. The actions were not limited to physical rallies; because the "national shutdown" included boycotts and walkouts, participation was also measured by significant absences from workplaces and schools.

Seattle Educators and Students Take a Stand

In the Seattle area, the demonstrations were heavily centered in the education sector. While the national action took place on January 30, local protests were set to continue into January 31, featuring a major rally at Seattle Central College,.

This "ICE Out of Seattle" rally was supported by a broad coalition of labor and educator groups, including:

• Seattle Education Association

• MLK Labor

• Washington Education Association

• AFT Local 1789 (Seattle Colleges faculty union)

Concerns Over "Protected Areas"

A primary focus for Seattle educators was the protection of immigrant students and their families. According to the sources, educators expressed fear that students and parents could be targeted following federal policy changes that removed "Protected Areas" restrictions. This shift prompted a strong call for the removal of ICE presence from schools to ensure a safe learning environment,.

While official attendance numbers for the school-based walkouts were not formally released by Seattle Public Schools, the involvement of major labor unions suggests a substantial turnout and a notable impact on the local education system during the two-day protest.