The Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane is bringing together activists, organizers and advocates from across the Pacific Northwest this weekend for its annual Peace and Justice Action Conference.

Organizer Shantell Jackson said the group works year-round on issues including racial equity, human rights and crisis response. As deportations rise in Spokane, she said, the league is partnering with the Washington Immigrant and Solidarity Network to expand rapid-response training across the state.

"Also accompaniment training, so if someone wanted to volunteer to accompany people to ICE appointments," she said. "We've also partnered with orgs to bring that training, and our last rapid response training, we had over 400 people, in person."

Jackson said the group also runs a peacekeeper program that trains residents in de‑escalation tactics during protests and other public events.

New data from the University of Washington’s Center for Human Rights shows immigration enforcement surged across the Pacific Northwest late last year. From October through December 2025, federal arrests in Alaska, Oregon and Washington climbed to nearly 2,300 – a sharp rise from the fewer than 250 arrests seen in late 2024.

Jackson said the conference will feature 15 sessions led by community organizers and regional leaders, meant to give participants practical tools to advance justice and equity. This year’s theme, “From Survival to Vision,” focuses on shaping a fairer future, with one session highlighting the "Boycott, Divestments and Sanction" movement.

"So people will learn about what that means," Jackson said, "and what the presenters will be asking people is, we're not trying to boycott every terrible thing that's out there, but what is one action that you can take in your day-to-day life that will help the movement along?"

Jackson said the conference will feature a keynote address and workshop by Aaron Dixon, founder of the Seattle chapter of the Black Panther Party and longtime activist for racial justice and community empowerment.

Source: Public News Service