Protesters filled Vashon town again last weekend

Published 10:30 am Tuesday, January 13, 2026

More than 200 islanders mobilized to join protesters throughout the nation on Saturday after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and killed Renee Nicole Good, a U.S. citizen and mother of three, behind the wheel of a car in an encounter in Minneapolis on Jan. 7.

The local protest — a vigil organized by Indivisible Vashon and Showing Up for Racial Justice — was the second such gathering of the year to fill the sidewalks around the four corners of Vashon Highway and Bank Road in the town. Last weekend, approximately 75 islanders came to the same spot to protest a surprise U.S. military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of that country’s president and his wife.

Billed as a vigil to mourn the death of Good as well as more than 30 other non-U.S. citizens who died in ICE actions or custody in 2025, the Jan. 10 gathering began at the Village Green, where islanders, mostly dressed in black, exchanged hugs and greetings, made signs and received information and training on how to respond in the event of a local ICE action.

Evan Justin, an Indivisible Vashon member, passed out kits and information he said he had personally distributed to many local businesses, informing their owners of the need to establish and post signs declaring certain spaces in their workplaces to be private areas, which ICE agents cannot enter without permission.

Justin’s information kits, among other resources, also directed islanders to call or text the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network to report incidents involving ICE and find more information.

At 2 p.m., the protesters, accompanied by several drummers beating out a solemn rhythm, processed the short distance to line the center of town. There, the group heard from speakers who included Ann Spiers, Vashon’s inaugural poet laureate.

Spiers read a poem published by National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman on Jan. 8, which was dedicated to the memory of Good, who was also an award-winning poet.

As was the case in last week’s protest of the Trump administration’s actions in Venezuela, the activists drew a steady stream of approving honks and waves from drivers of passing cars.

After the protest, Indivisible Vashon members reflected on the role of peaceful protest in transforming governance and policy.

“People have asked us why we protest, why we are bothering, and what it is accomplishing?” Kathy Rickard said. “Peaceful protest is a great tool to increase visibility and allow people to know they are not alone in their thoughts and feelings. People driving by, scrolling through social media, checking the news either online or in the paper; our elected representatives, businesses both local and nationwide, and even other countries — they will all become more aware of the growing movement of discontent and dissatisfaction with the current regime.”

James Rickard, who is Kathy’s husband, also expressed the urgency he and others who oppose the actions of the Trump administration now feel.

“Within the first seven days of the new year, the United States has violated the sovereignty of another nation, kidnapped their president and wife, and endorsed the murder of an innocent civilian on the streets — not four blocks from where George Floyd was murdered,” he said. “Are you old enough to remember Kent State University? History is repeating itself.”

Indivisible Vashon’s next community meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, at the Vashon United Methodist Church.