About 200 people gathered in downtown Olympia Monday evening to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, following the recent deaths of two American citizens during federal immigration actions in Minnesota.
The protesters assembled along Fourth Avenue near the Heritage Park Fountain, many holding anti-ICE signs and flagging the attention of passing motorists. Witnesses said participants were motivated by events in Minnesota, where federal immigration officials have faced scrutiny following the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
Olympia police said they became aware of the protest around 5 p.m. and began monitoring the gathering to ensure public safety and maintain distance between protesters and traffic.
A smaller group of about 80 people later marched west along Fourth Avenue to a nearby shopping mall and entered a Target store. Police said there were reports of displays being knocked over and a fire extinguisher being discharged inside the store. The group later left the store and returned to the main protest at the Heritage Park Fountain.
No arrests were made, and no injuries were reported, police said. The disruption inside Target represents a shift from street protest to direct action targeting private businesses, though the connection between Target and immigration enforcement remains unclear.
The protest reflects growing tensions over federal immigration operations in Washington state, particularly after Governor Bob Ferguson announced his administration is preparing for potential ICE escalation following the Minnesota shootings.
