ICE Melts as Streets Erupt, Revolt at Delaney Hall Migrant Prison, UW Campus Occupation Against War Profiteers

Welcome back to The Beautiful Idea. So much has happened since we started to put this episode together. We've got a lot to cover, so let's not waste any time and dive right into it!

On today's episode, first we present a interview with an organizer on the recent "Statelessness" conference that took place in Evansville, IN. For more on the conference, check out this recording from the presentation, the Belki Sibe documentary which was shown at the event, a presentation from keynote speaker Jane Gordon, and a PDF booklet about the conference.

Next, we speak with someone involved in Antifa International, which supports international antifascist prisoners, and then turn towards our discussion on the recent deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles, CA.

A reminder to follow the Beautiful Idea on BlueSky, Mastodon, and Instagram and check out our website. The Beautiful Idea is also a proud member of the Channel Zero Anarchist Podcast network.

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ICE Melts as Streets Erupt Revolt at Delaney Hall Migrant Prison UW Campus Occupation Against W
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Fire Beats ICE

First up, a dam has broken and the first real eruption in the streets has kicked off against the Trump administration in the fight against ICE and mass deportations. This push back has been building in recent months, as grassroots organizers and groups on the ground have been hard at work pushing back against growing attacks from ICE and the DHS. We're going to start off our show with a short interview from a reporter at Unicorn Riot, who talks about how ICE is coordinating with local police to create a vast army of law enforcement mobilized to attack migrant workers. Check out the full report on Unicorn Riot here.

In late May, resistance began to heat up at courthouses around the US, as people moved to block ICE agents from snatching people at court hearings regarding their immigration status. as the Trump administration pushed for accelerated deportation numbers. These confrontations then escalated into street clashes in San Diego, Minneapolis, and several other cities, before popping off in early June in Los Angeles, CA. On June 6th and 7th, thousands mobilized following militarized ICE raids on several workplaces, surrounding a federal building in downtown LA, and demanding that ICE release hundreds of people captured by DHS. The next day, people bravely faced off with ICE after federal authorities raided a Home Deport and attacked those in the wider community who came out to protest. Fierce clashes broke out between community members and state forces, with people throwing projectiles at ICE vehicles, eventually driving them from the area after several hours.

The next day, Trump moved to federalize several hundred National Guard troops, already in California to deal with the fires, who were then sent in to guard the detention center, leading to more clashes and rioting, as the Democratic Mayor put a curfew in place, and the LAPD began a campaign of mass terror and brutality against protesters. Solidarity demonstrations and similar revolts began to pop off in more cities, as people began to shut down court houses with mass pickets, mobilize to kick ICE agents out of hotels, and respond to immigration raids with rage and determination. Things popped off in Seattle, Portland, Sacramento, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York City, Atlanta, Chicago, and beyond. CrimethInc. has recently published some amazing report backs that can be viewed here:

There's also been some amazing zines published recently to check out and distribute in your community, including:

Meanwhile in Newark, NJ, where demonstrators have been demanding the horrific Delaney Hall ICE prison be closed, prisoners there launched a rebellion which led to several people escaping. According to a report on Jersey Counter-Info: 

A few days ago riots broke out at the federal ICE detention center, Delaney Hall, in Newark, NJ. Detainees faced increasing abuse and starvation from their jailers and fought back, reportedly setting fires and knocking down an internal wall used to contain them. At the same time, Delaney Hall was swarmed by waves of protestors who slowed operations and drew the attention of ICE and other federal pigs away from the events occurring inside.

Protestors stood their ground and prevented ICE vans from entering the facility and thinned out the number pigs helping to prevent the riot from being quelled. During this juncture 4 men, who were kidnapped and imprisoned at Delaney Hall by ICE, were able to make their escape from the heavily fortified facility. As of now, they are still free, liberated from detention.

Because of the brave actions of the individuals detained inside Delaney Hall and the protestors outside, 4 people were able to escape and gain freedom. It doesn’t matter how fortified the state’s prisons or detention centers may be, how many federal pigs there are, what weapons they have to brutalize people, solidarity can and will WIN.

Keep fighting, by any means necessary.

There's also so much happening on the ground that it's impossible to give a full roundup of everything, so be sure to check It's Going Down on BlueSky for daily updates. We hope to get a new episode out soon with a better picture of the full extent of the growing wave of anti-ICE action, as well as some thoughts on the massive No Kings demonstrations which took place on June 14th, bringing out millions of people into the streets.

May Day 2025

This May Day, tens of thousands took to the streets across the US, celebrating the radical holiday which honors the Chicago anarchist martyrs and the fight for the 8-hour work day. Labor unions, immigrant rights groups, and community organizations held demonstrations across the US, decrying the Trump administration's growing attacks on labor unions, immigrant workers, and beyond. Anarchist and autonomous groups also held demonstrations and gatherings across the US to honor the holiday, with various events, actions, and interventions happening in numerous cities. For a full roundup, check It's Going Down.

Notable mentions include anarchist organized May Day gatherings and festivals in Eugene, OR, Boise, ID, Seattle, WA, Nevada, City, CA, Bloomington, IN, New Orleans, LA, and in several cities in North Carolina, an anarchist festival took place over several days. In Reno, NV, a mutual aid fair was organized, in Denton, TX and Binghamton, NY, anarchist bookfairs were organized, while in Richmond, VA anarchists also organized a march which met with up other May Day demonstrations. Meanwhile in New York City, people occupied the former Yippie HQ building before being evicted by police. Finally, autonomous groups held anti-ICE marches in Tacoma, WA, Eugene and Olympia, OR and San Francisco, CA.

Puget Sound Anarchists posted a report back on the anti-ICE march on May Day, here and the Dissonant Times, a new autonomous publication out of Eugene, OR, also has a report up on an anti-ICE action on May Day, writing:

On May 2nd there was a call for a black bloc under the slogan MAY DAY MELT ICE, in response to the federal government’s unrestrained escalations against migrants, people connected to last year’s Palestine Solidarity movement, and non-white people in general. A short, small march yielded some light property damage and a fairly heavy response from EPD, resulting in four arrests. Despite the modest attendance and intensity of attack, this was an important testing of the waters here in Eugene, where the climate of repression is shifting, with police beginning to take a more hands-on approach. Police tactics are evolving, and so should ours. And at the same time, this action proved that confrontational street action is very much still possible here. Things are bad, but you can definitely still wile out and get away with it.

The inspiration we derive from others is unbound by time and space and, as an offering of gratitude, we tend to this cosmic fire, stoking its eternal flames. Our shouts and laughs and screams fan the embers of resistance. Together, each exhale creates ignition. Clearly, there is a taste for more heat in Eugene. The limits of endless “peaceful” marches and rallies were reached a long time ago, and we invite others to take initiative themselves; in person, in the streets, in spirit and/or in the numerous other avenues which sustain our counterattack. Despite setbacks, we will keep growing, offering each other grace as we pivot and learn from mistakes. Momentum excitedly continues to build within us — we know when to resist, and when to release.

In the bay area of California, members of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) are celebrating a recent victory, following over a month of pickets and strike activity at Urban Ore, a large retail hub that sells used home-hold items and construction materials. Writing on social media, union members wrote:

After 40 days on the picket line pressuring the owners of Urban Ore to meet with us, engage with us at the bargaining table and bargain seriously to address workers’ needs, we have reached agreement on terms to end our strike! We are feeling incredibly proud of the effectiveness of our strike, grateful for all of the support we’ve received from the community to make that happen, and we are looking forward to reaching a full collective bargaining agreement. We have made some big wins which wouldn’t have been possible without the pressure we were able to exert through our direct action! Solidarity forever!

Cop City Trials Start

Trials for those targeted by the state for resisting the Cop City counter-insurgency training facility have started, with supporters rallying outside of several recent hearings and dropping banners in solidarity across the US. Be sure to check out monthly installments of  In Contempt on It's Going Down and updates at Weelaunee the Free and Fire Ant Movement Defense. 

Antifascist Action and Pride Defense 

As Pride month kicks off in the face of ongoing threats from the far-Right, gender fascist and Christian nationalist groups are attempting to move in the terrain opened up by Trump, as communities are mobilizing in response. Recently in Davis, CA, a black bloc absolutely wrecked a Turning Point USA tabling event with no arrests. 

In Portland, OR, grassroots journalist Alissa Azar covered a recent mobilization against Turning Point USA, featuring anti-trans speaker Riley Gaines. From We Will Free Us: 

When news spread that TPUSA would be bringing Gaines to PSU, students quickly mobilized. One flyer called for people to “stand up to transphobia on PSU’s campus,” and outlined plans to meet in the Park Blocks at 6:15 PM and walk to the 3rd floor of Smith by 6:30, when Gaines’ event was set to begin. Another flyer promoted a “trans/queer pride block party” at 6 PM with games like frisbee and badminton, emphasizing: “sports are for everyone.”

The crowd continued to grow, eventually reaching a few hundred. Most people stayed in the Park Blocks, but a smaller group gathered at the front of the Smith building, waving flags, holding signs, and confronting people waiting in line to see Gaines.

About 30 minutes later, some protesters in the back managed to hold open the doors to the building. A few people rushed inside before cops could intervene. According to a witness, it turned into a quick game of cat and mouse. Protesters got out without being arrested, but shortly after, PPB repositioned their officers directly at Smith’s front entrance. The first arrest followed minutes later just outside the building.

What happened at PSU on May 5 wasn’t just about one speaker or one protest; it was a clear example of how far-right groups like TPUSA are being platformed and given institutional space to grow. It was another example of liberal and institutional complicity. Another example of transphobia being normalized under the guise of "debate." Another example of police escalating against queer and antifascist resistance. It is yet again another example of media outlets sanitizing repression while demonizing resistance. But people showed up anyway. They danced. They took risks. And they made it clear: queer and trans communities in Portland aren’t interested in playing nice with fascism.

Meanwhile in Seattle, WA, over 500 people mobilized against a far-Right, Christian Nationalist rally featuring Matt Shea, a former Republican politician who called for using violence to establish a Christian theocracy. For several hours, people bravely faced off with Seattle police, who made several violent arrests. 

In Montreal, Clash MTL reported: 

Anti-abortion activists' day thoroughly ruined today: their charter bus was blocked before it could leave Montreal and delayed for close to an hour. Then in Quebec City, counter-demonstrators encircled them and drowned them out with boat horns, before continuing to block and surround them repeatedly when they tried to march. Riot cops were outflanked and pushed back, and a message was left on some activists' Cybertruck.

For a longer report-back (in French), check out Montreal Counter-Info.

On June 14th, neo-Nazi groups and crews of Proud Boys attempted to harass and disrupt No Kings demonstrations across the US, but were largely unsuccessful in having any meaningful impact other than getting laughed at and dragged online. In Springfield, MO, a group of Patriot Front white supremacists were also driven from a local Pride celebration, after they attempted to harass locals. 

Free Palestine

As the genocide, forced starvation, and the ongoing ethnic cleansing of Gaza continues, a new wave of student led occupations, protests, and hunger strikes have kicked off in the US.

At UCLA, students marked the one year since student occupiers bravely fought off far-Right Zionists attempting to tear apart their protest encampment with a film showing of the documentary, The Encampments, and were attacked by riot police -- at 9 p.m. on April 30th, around 30 UCPD officers wearing riot gear ran into the crowd of students, detaining two individuals and confiscating the screening equipment.. Also in California, students at Stanford and across the California State University system launched a hunger strike in solidarity with Palestinians.

In Philadelphia, students at Swathmore College set up a protest encampment to continue to demand divestment from Israel and for the university to fight attacks on international students targeted by Trump. After several days and officials citing threats to "safety," police attacked and disbanded the encampment, arresting several students. In Baltimore, a violent police cracked down on a student encampment in solidarity with Palestine, leading to two students at John Hopkins University being injured. At Columbia University in New York, students occupied a library on campus, leading to clashes with police and arrests of 80 people and at Brooklyn College, the NYPD moved to attack student demonstrators who also set up an encampment, arresting several students.

Finally at the University of Washington (UW), students launched an occupation of the campus engineering building and defended it with barricades, demanding that the university divest from weapons maker Boeing. As a report on CrimethInc. wrote:

The University of Washington has been collaborating with Boeing for over a century....The University of Washington plans to use this building to deepen their relationship with Boeing, establishing a closer partnership to further the development of war technologies. Both the university and Boeing aim to benefit from this by sharing access to research facilities, establishing an AI educational institute for developing military technology, and securing Boeing’s influence of the engineering curriculum, which functions as a pipeline channeling UW engineering students into Boeing internships and contracts. These contracts promise financial compensation, yet often result in labor abuses and unsafe products...As students and community members of the University of Washington, we condemn this relationship and the intended use of the building. This is why we sought to reclaim the building and repurpose it as a much-needed community space.

A report on Puget Sound Anarchists wrote:

At approximately 5pm students and their accomplices descended on the newly constructed “Interdisciplinary Engineering Building” (IEB). This building was funded by Boeing with the agreement that UW [University of Washington] would create a pipeline of students to assist with Boeing’s warmongering endeavors. Barricades were constructed outside the building as doors were sealed from the inside. Preparations were also made for the event that the occupation of Sha’ban Al-Dalou Hall became a longterm project. More and more supporters began to arrive as the day went on and a public call to join the action was released.

A feeling of unity spread throughout the crowd as a diversity of tactics was upheld and respected. Barricade builders were offered support and supplies and community members cooked meals. A rebellious joy filled our hearts as speeches and chants filled the air. Posters praising the Palestinian resistance were plastered on every wall and window available. Almost immediately the area was swarming with cameras as reporters and fascist grifters heard about the action, these were quickly blocked with umbrellas to protect the identities of the crowd.

As the sun began to set, the energy of the crowd shifted as it became clear that the police would attempt to remove the students in the coming hours. Many tactics for defending the building were considered with the bulk of the students electing to move into the street to block the police advance. Large barricades were built in every adjacent street to stop or delay the police regardless of their approach. As the multi-agency police force began to materialize, an officer from each agency approached the crowd in a failed attempt to facilitate our surrender. This exchange was captured in a now-viral video of black-clad and shield-wielding militants forcing them down the hill and back to their lines while chanting “Move Back”, mocking a common police dispersal tactic. From this point on, every hostile actor was forced out of the area including private security and individual agitators, including one man who repeatedly threatened to murder the students. However, the occupation received much support from passersby and motorists. At around 10pm, a completely unintelligible dispersal order was given over a malfunctioning LRAD. In response, a massive fire was started at one of the barricades. This fire forced the police to entirely reroute their advance, delaying them severely. This delay gave more than enough time for many within the group to disperse as staying at the barricades would only result in arrest and injury. The fire was slow to extinguish and effectively crippled the police advance.

Over the next 1-2 hours a highly militarized group of SPD, WSP and UWPD broke into the building and cut students from their lockdowns, causing even further damage as doors were broken down and windows had to be broken to access the students. At the time of writing, 32 students were violently arrested inside the building causing concussions, damage to limbs and joints, with at least 1 arrest of the group outside. Sha’ban Al-Dalou Hall and the surrounding area was occupied for a total of almost 7 hours, and police response time was incredibly sluggish, allowing for a significant amount of direct action to take place resulting in at least $1 million in damage according to the university. A frankly embarrassing show of force by SPD, WSP, and UWPD.

Again from the report on CrimethInc.: 

Predictably, the corporate media slandered the protesters, decrying them as violent—though three protesters were hospitalized as a consequence of police violence during the arrests and many more were severely bruised, whereas the protesters did not injure anyone. It appears that out of the over $1 million in damages that the university claims to have assessed, much of it was inflicted by police officers as they removed protesters.

Dispelling any illusions of a progressive university, the University of Washington leadership spread a similar message, condemning the burning of dumpsters as violent. Those who control our institutions clearly care more about the burning of trash than the burning of the bodies of their own Palestinian students.

Yes, we are in a moment of extreme repression. The consequences of action can be significant. Nonetheless, we believe that the consequences of inaction will be greater. Liberal petitions to political leaders will not save us, nor will an apolitical retreat from struggle. That will leave us weaker for next time—and leave most of us increasingly less safe right now.

Revolt and uprising were possible and effective during the first Trump regime. They are tools worth applying today.

Resist however you can and must. Mutual aid is a form of resistance; it can entail defense, protecting our communities from ICE or alleviating the consequences of the financial crisis wrought by the fascist and neoliberal coalition. Direct action is a form of resistance; it can undermine the violent apparatus of the state. “Occupation,” understood as a decolonial practice, is resistance. Palestine demands resistance—and so does your community.

Read the full report here.

Upcoming Events

  • June 21st: Don't Despair, Organize. Presentation from Black Rose Anarchist Federation. Sacramento, CA. More info here. https://www.blackrosefed.org/
  • September 6th: Halifax Anarchist Bookfair. Halifax, NS. More info here. north-shore.info
  • September 27th - 28th: Another Carolina Anarchist Bookfair. Asheville, NC. More info here. acabookfair.noblogs.org
  • October 11th: Sacramento Anarchist Bookfair. Sacramento, CA. More info here. insta: sacramento anarchist bookfair
  • October 18th: Bay Area Anarchist Bookfair. Oakland, CA. More info here. insta: bayareaanarchistbookfair
  • October 18-19th: Seattle Anarchist Bookfair. Seattle, WA. More info here. insta: seattleanarchistbookfair

That’s gonna do it for us, enjoy the interviews and we’ll see you soon! Be sure to follow us on BlueSky, Mastodon, and Instagram.

Music Credits

Intro:

Transition clips: