The City of Tacoma posted notices around a camp that grew around a protest outside the Northwest Detention Center ordering protesters to remove the camp by 6 p.m. Thursday. The protest began there on Saturday.
Tacoma Police Public Information Officer Loretta Cool said the department supports the right for people to protest.
"People do have the right to demonstrate," Cool said. "We have assisted people, and we will continue to assist them to safely demonstrate.
"We also have to enforce the municipal code. We're giving them plenty of warning time."
The notices specifically mention tents, canopies, gazebos, sunshades, tarps and temporary restroom facilities.
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Andy Ribaudo, a spokesperson for the NWDC protest group, said they are concerned by the notices but was unsure whether some might move even when ordered to do so.
“We're irritated because we've been constantly attacked by the state...we're still here and we've grown just in the last couple of hours since we've gotten this notice.”
Protesters are calling for an end to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement division of the Department of Homeland Security and denounce the federal detention of immigrants and housing them in states such as Washington.
"No matter what it takes, we're going to fight for our lives,’ one girl said.
Tension between police and protesters ratcheted up Tuesday night when a demonstration ended with ten arrests. However, there were no arrests during protests Wednesday night, which were described as peaceful.
Ribaudo said the group is not intimidated even as it weighs options ahead of the potential removal on Thursday.
"Right now, we're not moving," said Ribaudo. He added that the group is talking with its attorneys to determine its next steps.
Protests outside NWDC continued regularly, with one of the biggest beginning at 9 p.m. Dozens arrived minutes before and participated loudly for an hour or more. Some demonstrators tried to burn a U.S. flag, but within minutes of lighting it several other protesters stepped in to snuff out the fire. Several people denounced the practice, with one woman commanding a megaphone and saying ‘We're not here to burn flags. Take that somewhere else.’
Protesters and their lawyers said they will wait to see what happens at the 6 p.m. Thursday deadline.
Ribaudo said his military service qualifies him to protest and demonstrate against any action he sees as oppression. “I'm a vet, you know ... when I get out of the military and stand up for people, then I'm a degenerate (and) I don't know what I'm talking about. Again, my oath was to defend people from all forms of oppression.”
There may be a protest at 9 a.m. Thursday. With the order for removal, that protest may draw more people.
Cox Media Group
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