Bellingham turns out for local version of national day of protest against Trump policies
Thousands of people gathered at Bellingham City Hall on Saturday to protest the actions of President Donald Trump, his administration and Elon Musk. The protest is one of hundreds across the nation called “Hands Off!” that took place Saturday.
Speakers included people from various groups that warn they’re under attack by the Trump administration, including teachers, doctors, Planned Parenthood staff, climate activists transgender individuals and immigrants. Bellingham City Council members also addressed the crowd, which displayed hundreds of handmade signs and chanted throughout.
The protest targeted a wide range of actions and stood in defense of immigrant rights, transgender rights, due process and the U.S. Constitution. Many also were there to protest the recent implementation of widespread tariffs and the dismantling of the federal government that is being conducted under the supervision of billionaire Elon Musk on behalf of the Trump administration. Tens of thousands of federal employees have been fired since Inauguration Day, and many health-related departments have been decimated.
“I’m sure many of you know that this is a dark few months for the environment, for science, public lands and environmental justice,” said Seth Mangold, community engagement specialist at RE Sources. “The cuts on funding on science, research, staffing at land management agencies have been relentless and far reaching. These attacks have immediate impacts and they are putting people out of work and putting communities in danger. Communities impacted by climate disasters cannot rely on the federal government for aid and support.”
The Bellingham protest came days after 37 allegedly illegal immigrants were arrested by ICE at Mount Baker Roofing in Bellingham, and just over a week after ICE arrested political activist and union organizer Alfredo (Lelo) Juarez Zeferino.
“To them we say: ‘Hands off!’” said Kevin Leja with Indivisible Bellingham, a grassroots group that organized the City Hall protest and secured a permit with the city for the event.
Leja called for the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to get their “hands off” workers rights, civil rights, voting rights, our bodies, free speech, veterans, postal workers, public lands, public safety and security, our wallets, Medicare, schools, immigrants, health care and U.S. democracy.
“If we don’t fight now, there won’t be anything left to save,” he said.
Other speakers including Bellingham City Councilor and longtime community organizer Jace Cotton; Michael Barres, a former teacher, principal and school district administrator who currently is part of the Bellingham Indivisible leadership group; Sharon Camblin with the Whatcom Faith Community for Immigrant Support; Selene Etherige, a transgender woman who spoke about the violence she has experienced from transphobia; Brenda Howell, who has been involved in HIV care and services for over 40 years; Jade Phillips, community organizer and data manager at Mt. Baker Planned Parenthood; local business owner Homero Jose Garrido, an immigrant to the U.S. who served on the city of Bellingham’s Immigrant Advisory Board; and Bellingham City Councilor Skip Williams, a former public school teacher.
“This administration is carrying out (attacks) on worker immigrants and their families, but let me tell you who we are,” Garrido said. “We are your neighbors. We are your friends.”
“I am deeply concerned for the future of reproductive rights,” said Phillips of Planned Parenthood. “And also for the rights of other marginalized and intersecting communities and identities. I am concerned for health care, for social services, for public lands, for fair elections and more than I can name today. I am angry, angry that this fight is not over. I am angry that this fight has just begun.”
Another group of protesters gathered outside of the Federal Building in downtown Bellingham, and many of them made their way to City Hall. Speeches at City Hall lasted about 90 minutes. Two Bellingham Police officers in the vicinity as people dispersed said there were no reports of violence or any altercations related to the protest.
This story was originally published April 5, 2025 at 4:45 PM.
.jpg)