Spokane Protesters Convicted After ICE Clash

A federal jury in Spokane declared three local activists guilty of conspiracy after a heated confrontation with U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents last summer. The case stemmed from an attempt by ICE to move a group of detainees to a Tacoma center. Local residents gathered outside the detention facility, hoping to block the transport. The defendants—Bajun Mavalwalla II, Justice Forral and Jac Archer—were charged with conspiring to impede or harm ICE agents. Prosecutors said the trio coordinated actions on June 11, standing around the bus and surrounding vehicles to prevent the convoy from leaving. The protest escalated when ICE officers entered the crowd, pushing people down and using force to clear a path. Police later deployed smoke canisters, leading to dozens of arrests for unlawful assembly.During the eight‑day trial, defense teams argued that no formal plan existed among the protestors. They contended each participant acted independently, despite being part of a group. Archer’s lawyer highlighted that his client intended only nonviolent resistance and had prepared contact lists for those who might be detained. The jury accepted that nonviolent protest does not meet the threshold of conspiracy, which requires threat or intimidation. The conviction follows a broader federal push to target individuals who defy immigration enforcement. A Justice Department memo ordered prosecutors nationwide to prioritize such cases, sparking criticism from legal officials who question the balance between law and civil liberties. The Eastern Washington U. S. Attorney resigned amid concerns over political pressure, voicing doubts about the department’s commitment to impartial justice. This outcome raises questions about where peaceful protest ends and criminal conspiracy begins. It also underscores the tension between federal immigration policy enforcement and community activism in the Pacific Northwest.