Western States Center

The Arc of WA State’s Statement in response to Senator’s offensive use of the R-word slur in floor debate arcwa.org/statement-in...

Statement on U.S. Military Attacks — Western States Center From Venezuela to Iran, President Trump has repeatedly pursued foreign military attacks in his second term, targeting countries across the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, often in violation…

From Venezuela to Iran, President Trump has repeatedly pursued foreign military attacks in his second term, targeting countries across the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, often in violation of international law and without Congressional approval.

Read in full: buff.ly/TtuMh74

Thank you for an incredible event @cstpdx.bsky.social, thank you to @leahsottile.bsky.social for interviewing me, and thank you to @ojrcenter.bsky.social, @westernstatescenter.org, and @107ist.org for hosting!

Kansas Orders Trans Drivers to Surrender Licenses With One Day’s Notice Trans people affected are required to replace their state identification at their own expense.

Kansas is giving trans residents 24 hours to surrender their IDs.
By stripping IDs and risking voting access, they're criminalizing daily life.
This is anti-democracy in action: target, isolate, erase.
Inclusive democracy = Everyone has the right to exist, move, and vote safely.

The administration signaling interest in expanding executive power over elections is a dangerous step toward dismantling checks and balances. Free and fair elections depend on the rule of law, not emergency declarations. We can't defend democracy by bypassing it.
buff.ly/y6TK1F4

Political storm in Wyoming as far-right activist caught handing checks to lawmakers Photograph shows conservative activist handing slip to Darin McCann and Marlene Brady holding a similar paper

“These actors, especially from the far right, they like to push the bounds of the norms,” said Rosa Reyna Pugh, an organizing and advocacy consultant at Western States Center, an Oregon-based non-profit focused on democracy in the western United States.

Read more:

"Former WSC board member Cole Nicole LeFavour speaks out on the ongoing anti-LGBTQ cruelty from the Idaho Legislature. Cole is the author of In the Arms of Mountains: A Memoir of Land, Love, and Queer Resistance in Red America."
www.idahostatesman.com/opinion/read...

Why can’t Wyoming keep its young people? - WyoFile Try looking after the needs of women, writes guest columnist Samuel Western.

"Idaho has lost 35% of its OB-GYN specialists since it passed its strict anti-abortion law in 2022. As of 2025, Wyoming has the lowest number of obstetricians in the nation."

Eight people have died in dealings with ICE so far in 2026. These are their stories The high-profile killings of Minneapolis residents Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good are only two among many

[THREAD EXTRA] @theguardian.com's article "Eight people have died in dealings with ICE so far in 2026. These are their stories" www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

It's the deadliest year for people in ICE custody in decades; next year could be worse There have been at least 20 deaths in ICE custody in 2025, the deadliest year since 2004. As the agency is ramping up hiring and increasing detentions, concerns remain about how to stop the trend.

[THREAD EXTRA] @npr.org piece from October 2025 "It's the deadliest year for people in ICE custody in decades; next year could be worse" www.npr.org/2025/10/23/n...

6 Deaths in ICE Custody and 2 Fatal Shootings: A Horrific Start to 2026 - American Immigration Council 2026 has already seen a shocking number of deaths tied to ICE. This includes fatalities in detention as well as shootings involving agents.

[THREAD EXTRA] @immcouncil.org's article "6 Deaths in ICE Custody and 2 Fatal Shootings: A Horrific Start to 2026" www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/ice-dea...

[THREAD EXTRA] @newsweek.com's follow-up article with @govpressoffice.gov.ca.gov
www.newsweek.com/exclusive-ne...

Appreciation to @weareoversight.bsky.social for fighting for transparency when agencies won't provide it.

Oversight is essential to defending democracy. (7/7)

We call on communities to join us in speaking out against immigration enforcement and on Congress to ensure stringent accountability measures to end the kidnappings and the killings. (6/7)

DHS agents have become known for kidnapping people off the streets, separating families, and abuses of force so severe that they have left bereaved communities in their wake.

This must end. (5/7)

We now know of at least eight people who have died in 2026 during interactions with ICE, including immigrants in detention and two citizens in fatal shootings in public spaces.

2025 was already the deadliest year in decades for people in ICE custody. (4/7)

We mourn his loss, and we demand accountability for the lack of transparency that left the circumstances of his death so unclear. (3/7)

Ruben Ray Martinez, 23, was killed nearly a year ago by a Homeland Security Investigations officer who shot him through the window of his vehicle. (2/7)

Third American death linked to ICE crackdown uncovered by Newsweek While the 23-year-old's death was reported in March 2025, it was not made clear that a federal agent fired the fatal shot.

🧵 A federal immigration agent killed a U.S. citizen, and the public didn't know for a year. (1/7) www.newsweek.com/ice-agent-fa...

We now know of three citizens federal immigration agents have killed in Trump’s second term.

DHS agents have become known for kidnapping people off the streets, separating families, and abuses of force so severe that they have left bereaved communities in their wake.

This must end. (04/06)

We mourn his loss, and we demand accountability for the lack of transparency that left the circumstances of his death so unclear. (03/06)

Ruben Ray Martinez, 23, was killed nearly a year ago by a Homeland Security Investigations officer who shot him through the window of his vehicle. (02/06)

Get your tickets while they’re still available!

How extremists reconquered Idaho in the age of Trump—and how some locals are fighting back “Who the fuck are these men?”

“What happened at North Idaho College prefigured what is happening to higher education throughout the country,” said Kate Bitz, an organizer with the Western States Center, a civil rights group. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...

Presidents come and go.
Our responsibility to protect democracy does not.

Vandals target Portland auto shop owned by husband of SW Washington Democrat who voted to fund ICE It’s the second time in two weeks that taggers have targeted U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez.

Intimidation targeting elected officials undermines our democracy. Harassment and threats meant to silence leaders are never acceptable.
www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...

The SAVE America Act is a direct attack on inclusive democracy.

A thriving democracy depends on participation, not exclusion.

Western States Center remains committed to defending access to the ballot and countering anti-democracy attacks.

Love is action.

This Valentine's Day, stand with immigrants and reject the violence and dehumanization they face every day.

Go to www.toimmigrantswithlove.com to learn how you can send your own message #ToImmigrantsWithLove!

How do anti-fascists defeat the rising tide of fascism though hidden networks when the stakes couldn’t be higher?

Join us for a conversation with Christopher Mathias about his new book “To Catch a Fascist” w/Leah Sottile. www.ojrc.info/to-catch-a-f... @cstpdx.bsky.social @westernstatescenter.org

February 16 is a Day Without an Immigrant.

For 24 hours, immigrants and allies are called on to skip work and school, close businesses, and not shop.

Visit buff.ly/IRb3fHz for updates, accessibility info, and more statewide actions.

#ICEOut #ProtectOregon #Justice4All