An estimated 2,000 people showed up on both sides of 5th Street on Saturday for the local "ICE Out of Everywhere" protest from noon-2 p.m. in front of the county courthouse in Eureka. Organized nationally by 50501, local supporters included Food Not Bombs, Humboldt Young Democratic Socialists of America, Cal Poly Humboldt Students for a Democratic Society and the Humboldt Anti-War Committee. Credit: Photo by Mark Larson
Among the crowds of protesters at the Humboldt County Courthouse on Jan. 30 were dozens of high school students chanting, “No one is illegal on stolen land.” Some had made their way from a walkout at Eureka High School as part of the national strike.
One woman named Shawna accompanied her two daughters Autumn and Summer. “They walked out and I followed after work,” she said. “I’ve cried like five times today; I’m so proud of them.”
Autumn said, “I think this is a very important cause because we’re Mexican American Native women and we need to be willing to fight.”
“Especially young people,” her sister Summer chimed in.
Age demographics of participants in Friday’s General Strike protest in Eureka in front of the county courthouse skewed much younger than those participating in past local protests against the Trump administration, as at least 200 or more Eureka High School students left the campus in late Friday afternoon and marched down J Street to the courthouse to join the protest. Credit: Photo by Mark Larson
Across the street, Elizabeth Kemper waved a sign and shook the fringe of her stars and stripes vest, the same one her mother wore to protest the Vietnam War and demonstrate for women’s rights. With her own daughter beside her, Kemper explained her mother was a Daughter of the American Revolution who traced her ancestry to an Irish immigrant who fought to pay off his indenture. “My family has fought in every war since the revolution. And this is my fight.”
Danielle Chodeick, a local nurse, brought nine luminaria (paper lanterns) covered with the names and life details of nine people killed by ICE and federal Border Patrol members to the candlelit Nurses Vigil outside Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka on Friday at 6:30 p.m. The vigil was in support of Alex Pretti, a registered nurse from Minneapolis who was shot and killed by federal border agents on Jan. 24. The vigil was part of a week of action held nationwide and was organized by National Nurses United. Credit: Mark Larson
At 6:30 p.m. outside St. Joseph Hospital, some 200 nurses, healthcare workers and others held a candlelit Nurses’ Vigil for Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse who cared for veterans before he was shot and killed by Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents Jan. 24 in Minneapolis. As part of National Nurses United’s national week of action, organizers displayed photos of Pretti along with paper lanterns for each of the nine people killed by ICE and Border Patrol agents this year.
The sidewalks were even more packed the following day for the ICE Out demonstration. Crafters handed out homemade buttons with resistance slogans and balls of red yarn for making the recently revived World War II-era Norwegian hats once worn as anti-Nazi symbols.
With tears rolling down her face, Elizabeth Hunter said, “These are terrible numbers on my sign of people killed by ICE and Border Patrol so far.” She was wearing a vest her mother wore to anti-Vietnam war protests 55 years ago at the General Strike protest in front of the county courthouse in Eureka on Friday. Credit: Mark Larson
“I’m doing a very bad version of a Melt the ICE hat,” said Ryan, who sat on the court steps knitting in the sunshine. She said she came out for “Renee Good and Alex Pretti, and all the other people ICE has murdered. … because our government should not be murdering people in the streets.”
Farther down the block, Charles said along with the killings of Good and Pretti, a number of injustices brought him to the protest, including “rapists in office,” and the sexual abuse of minors by government officials and the children killed in Palestine. “It really feels like they do not care about these children,” he said. “As a Black man, we have been saying this.”
These two young Native American men, self-described as from the local Bear River and Yurok tribes, brought their drum to accompany their singing in support of the “ICE Out of Everywhere” protest in Eureka on Saturday. Credit: Mark Larson
While mostly peaceful, the demonstrations saw two incidents leading to arrests. Just before 5 p.m. Friday, witnesses say a female protester snatched a MAGA hat from a driver stopped at a light before fleeing. A Eureka Police Department release states the driver, 71-year-old Gary Beckett, then pulled onto the sidewalk, got out and ran into the crowd after her. Officers arrested Beckett for fighting in public, and the release says they have a “preliminarily identified a person of interest” in the alleged assault and theft.
Another marred the protest on Saturday afternoon, when, according to the same release, 51-year-old driver Joseph Hough allegedly “brandished a large can of chemical agent” during a verbal confrontation with protesters on the sidewalk. EPD arrested Hough and booked him for “brandishing a weapon, assault and illegal possession of a tear gas weapon.”
Artist Tim Clewell of Arcata was in Eureka for Saturday’s “ICE Out of Everywhere” protest with a new sign inspired by the ‘Resistance Loon,’ a new symbol of resistance during the ongoing ICE protests in Minnesota that used Minnesota’s state bird posed in a way that echoes the Star Wars Rebel Alliance symbol. “I added the California quail (the state bird of California) to show solidarity with people in Minnesota standing up against the tyranny of ICE and the Trump administration,” said Clewell. In the background, he repeated the word “Solidarity” as a reminder of the movement’s strength. Credit: Mark Larson
Amid public concerns about how local law enforcement plans to respond should ICE arrive in Humboldt, EPD Police Chief Brian Stephens sent out a public statement asserting his department does not “enforce civil immigration laws” or “participate in immigration detainers or holds,” and that it will operate under California law and the city’s Sanctuary City resolution But he also acknowledged the department’s limits, writing, “When matters fall beyond our jurisdiction or authority, we defer to the appropriate legal processes and agencies, as required by law.”
In addition, the police chief noted his support of peaceful protest, saying “as a veteran of the United States Army, having served to protect our country and the rights we all enjoy, I strongly believe in the First Amendment.”
Following all the recent news events caused by Trump administration policies and actions, signs calling for releasing the Epstein files was still visible at the “ICE Out of Everywhere” protest in Eureka on Saturday. Credit: Mark Larson
Seventeen-year-old Arianna sat atop the flagpole’s plinth on Saturday during the height of the protest, a Mexican flag draped before her and holding a sign reading, “Viva Mexico/ We speak for those who can’t speak for themselves.” She said she’d been on her perch for several hours a day over the last three days, even without the crowds gathered.
Protest marshall volunteers were kept busy monitoring traffic safety and protesters in cross walks at the J and 5th Street intersection in Eureka next to the county courthouse on Saturday at the local “ICE Out of Everywhere” protest from noon-2 p.m. Credit: Mark Larson
“Even without all the thousands and hundreds of people out here,” she said, “just a few people can make a difference.”
Jennifer Fumiko Cahill (she/her) is the managing editor at the Journal. Reach her at (707) 442-1400 ext. 106 or jennifer@northcoastjournal.com. Follow her on Bluesky and Instagram @JFumikoCahill.
The protest songs at Friday’s General Strike protest in Eureka in front of the county courthouse included “We Shall Not Be Moved,” an African-American spiritual, hymn and protest song dating to early 19th century American south. Later it gained popularity as a labor union song and a protest song of the Civil Rights Movement. Credit: Mark LarsonMany high-school age protesters showed up with their signs and lots of vocal enthusiasm at Friday’s General Strike protest in Eureka in front of the county courthouse. The crowd skewed much younger than those participating in past local protests against the Trump administration’s policies and actions, as at least 200 or more Eureka High School students left the campus in late Friday afternoon and marched down J Street to the courthouse to join the protest. Credit: Mark Larson
Many high school-age participants with loud voices and their signs were present at Friday’s General Strike protest in Eureka in front of the county courthouse against the Trump administration ‘s policies and actions, as at least 200 or more Eureka High School students left the campus in late Friday afternoon and marched down J Street to the courthouse to join the protest. Credit: Mark Larson
Elizabeth Hunter attended the ICE Out of Everywhere protest Saturday as well as the Friday General Strike protest with her sign in front of the county courthouse in Eureka on Saturday. She said, “These are terrible numbers on my sign of people killed by ICE and Border Patrol so far.” She was wearing a vest her mother had worn to anti-Vietnam war protests 55 years ago. Credit: Mark Larson
Johanna Nagan, of Arcata, showed her support for her native Minnesota at the “ICE Out of Everywhere” protest in Eureka on Saturday with a sign using the ‘Resistance Loon,’ a new symbol of resistance during the ongoing ICE protests in Minnesota that used Minnesota’s state bird posed in a similar way to the Star Wars Rebel Alliance symbol. Credit: Mark Larson
This”ICE Out of Everywhere” protester said she was a fan of timely words on her sign from the late Canadian actress Catherine O’Hara, who died Friday, Jan. 30. She had starring roles in the Home Alone and Beetlejuice films and was an award-winning star of “Schitt’s Creek.” “Last of Us” creator Craig Mazin was quoted in news reports as saying “I think she would prefer that we keep laughing somehow, or at the very least not cry.” Credit: Mark Larson
The Humboldt County costumed version of “Portlander of the Year: The Frog” was present on Saturday at the “ICE Out of Everywhere” protest from noon-2 p.m. in front of the county courthouse in Eureka. The frog costume became a symbol for “confronting despotism with absurdity and whims” in opposition to the Trump administration’s policies and actions. Credit: Mark Larson
An estimated 2,000 people showed up on both sides of 5th Street on Saturday for the local “ICE Out of Everywhere” protest from noon-2 p.m. in front of the county courthouse in Eureka. Organized nationally by 50501, local supporters included Food Not Bombs, Humboldt Young Democratic Socialists of America, Cal Poly Humboldt Students for a Democratic Society and the Humboldt Anti-War Committee. Credit: Mark LarsonSam was passing out free yarn at the “ICE Out of Everywhere” protest for the knitting pattern that has become the well-known “Melt the ICE” hat, a red beanie-shaped cap topped with a braided tassel. Mats Tangestuen, the director of the Resistance Museum in Oslo, was quoted in news reports that the hat emerged sometime around the last large demonstration protesting Nazi occupation in September 1941. For Norwegians, the hat was meant to be “distinctively non-violent” and “not a threatening symbol.” Within two years, the Nazis made those protest hats illegal and punishable by law to wear, make or distribute. Since recently making the pattern available for $5 at Needle & Skein, a yarn store in Minneapolis, the shop has raised nearly $400,000. So far, organizers have donated a total of $250,000 to two nonprofits focused on housing support for immigrants in the community. For more information see “Melt the ICE” hat by Paul Neary at @Yarn_Cult and @needleandskein. Credit: Mark LarsonEureka resident Joy said she brought her “Defend the Constitution” sign to the “ICE Out of Everywhere” protest from noon-2 p.m. in front of the county courthouse in Eureka, as well as her pink flamingo because “Who can pick a fight with a flamingo?” Credit: Mark LarsonAn estimated 2,000 people showed up on Saturday for the local “ICE Out of Everywhere” protest from noon-2 p.m. in front of the county courthouse in Eureka, including one with a sign that urged drivers in passing vehicles to “Honk If You Are Horrified” about the Trump administration policies and actions. Organized nationally by 50501, local supporters included Food Not Bombs, Humboldt Young Democratic Socialists of America, Cal Poly Humboldt Students for a Democratic Society and the Humboldt Anti-War Committee. Credit: Mark Larson
Austin Allison of Eureka, a member of the National Nurses United union, and many other healthcare workers joined Saturday’s “ICE Out of Everywhere” protest from noon-2 p.m. in front of the county courthouse in Eureka as a way to show support for Alex Pretti, an intensive care unit nurse at a VA hospital who was shot and killed by a Border Patrol member in Minneapolis on Jan. 24. Credit: Mark Larson
Jenny Finch (holding the “Impeach” bumpersticker sign at the right) said she first created the bumpersticker back during the Nixon adminstration era but brought it out once again on Saturday for the local “ICE Out of Everywhere” protest from noon-2 p.m. in front of the county courthouse in Eureka. Credit: Mark Larson
An estimated 2,000 people shared their signs and chants with passing traffic on Saturday for the local “ICE Out of Everywhere” protest from noon-2 p.m. in front of the county courthouse in Eureka. Organized nationally by 50501, local supporters included Food Not Bombs, Humboldt Young Democratic Socialists of America, Cal Poly Humboldt Students for a Democratic Society and the Humboldt Anti-War Committee. Credit: Mark LarsonJenny Finch (holding the “Impeach” bumpersticker sign at the right) said she first created the bumpersticker back during the Nixon adminstration era but brought it out once again on Saturday for the local “ICE Out of Everywhere” protest from noon-2 p.m. in front of the county courthouse in Eureka. Credit: Mark Larson“This is my favorite sign I painted for the protest,” said Carol, “but I let my husband carry it because it was so heavy.” Credit: Mark Larson“Everyone is really sad, angry and grieving and it’s been a hard week for nurses,” said Lauren, one of around 200 nurses, health care workers and supporters gathered for a candlelit Nurses Vigil outside Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka on Friday at 6:30 p.m. in honor Alex Pretti, a registered nurse from Minneapolis who was shot and killed by federal Border Agents on Jan. 24. The vigil was part of a week of action held nationwide and was organized by National Nurses United (NNU). Credit: Mark LarsonAround 200 nurses, health care workers and supporters gathered for a candlelit vigil outside Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka at 6:30 p.m. in honor Alex Pretti, a registered nurse from Minneapolis who was shot and killed by federal border agents on Jan. 24. The vigil was part of a week of action held nationwide and was organized by National Nurses United. Credit: Mark LarsonAlex Petti’s final words, “Are you OK?” was the theme of the candlelit Nurses Vigil and were included on stickers passed out to an estimated 200 nurses, healthcare works and supporters at Friday’s gathering outside of St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka, along with posters from the National Nurses United, the largest union and professional association of registered nurses. Pretti, an intensive care unit nurse at a VA hospital, was shot and killed by a Border Patrol member in Minneapolis on Jan. 24. Credit: Mark Larson
Jennifer Fumiko Cahill is the managing editor of the North Coast Journal. She won the Association of...
More by Jennifer Fumiko Cahill
Join the Conversation
1 Comment
At this point we all be vigil about the constant Protests supporting those that are brave enough to stand up against ICE. I recently read where these folks from ICE only have to have 47 days of training and then are allowed to carry high powered assault rifles, tear gas, rubber bullets, full body armor, also allowed to cover their faces with masks. All this is outrageous and are being turned on our own people which is of course a violation of our U.S. Constitution.. Case in point the Murder of Alex Pretti. I have never seen it this bad in our country and I thought the 60’s were a bad time.
At this point we all be vigil about the constant Protests supporting those that are brave enough to stand up against ICE. I recently read where these folks from ICE only have to have 47 days of training and then are allowed to carry high powered assault rifles, tear gas, rubber bullets, full body armor, also allowed to cover their faces with masks. All this is outrageous and are being turned on our own people which is of course a violation of our U.S. Constitution.. Case in point the Murder of Alex Pretti. I have never seen it this bad in our country and I thought the 60’s were a bad time.