SPOKANE, Wash. – Eleven local clergy members have returned to Spokane after spending several days in Minnesota, where protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations are ongoing.
The protests intensified following the shooting and killing of Alex Pretti on Saturday. Pretti is the second protester killed in Minnesota in the last month.
Dr. Jer Swigart, one of the local clergy members who traveled to Minneapolis, spoke about the situation.
“My heart sunk. I think what’s happening in Minnesota right now is a real case study,” Swigart said.
Swigart and the group visited Minneapolis after ICE agents shot and killed Renee Good on January 7. Before they left Minnesota, another shooting occurred.
“We were actually boarding a plane at that time… and got the call that if there are clergy who can stay, would you stay, because the anticipation was that this was going to spark another protest,” said Swigart.
The clergy aimed to foster unity, similar to Swigart’s daughter’s efforts in organizing a school walkout at Lewis and Clark High School. Swigart acknowledged the potential for escalating tensions.
“All of us knew it. And as a matter of fact, we had conversations as clergy around the likelihood of something happened happening the next day. And sure enough, within hours, there on, on Saturday, it happened and, and it’s it’s outrageous. It’s sad,” Swigart said.
The Trump administration stated that ICE agents fired defensive shots after Pretti approached them with a handgun and violently resisted. However, available footage does not show Pretti holding a gun.
Republican Washington Congressman Michael Baumgartner addressed the incident on social media.
He emphasized the need for the American people and Congress to gain a better understanding of immigration enforcement. Baumgartner urged public officials to make responsible statements based on facts to avoid inflaming the situation.
Attempts to reach Baumgartner for further comment on immigration enforcement went unanswered. Swigart observed bipartisan collaboration during the protests.
“But what I also saw what were Democrats and Republicans standing next to one another saying enough. I watched clergy and people of faith across traditions, across creeds, stand up together in a unified, unified, nonviolent voice saying enough,” Swigart said.
Thousands of protesters united in song and prayer. Swigart hopes Spokane can learn from the events in Minneapolis.
“The movement of nonviolent resistance is increasing. It’s becoming an unstoppable force. And so I think we get to watch what’s happening in Minnesota as an example to the rest of us, of what it means to nonviolently interrupt injustice, to get creative and love, to remain pro human despite the injustice that we’re seeing happen in the streets,” Swigart said.
