Defending Democracy: A Guide to Protecting Our Community
ICE and Border Patrol agents on Nicollet Avenue on January 24, 2026. Chad Davis Wikimedia Commons
Standing together for the Constitution and defending everyone’s rights
In recent weeks we have watched in horror, witnessing federal immigration enforcement cross lines once considered unthinkable in the United States. From masked agents, warrantless raids, deployment of chemical agents in public spaces, separating children from their parents, abducting U.S. citizens without due process to cold-blooded murder, the tactics used by ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have moved beyond intimidation into blatant lawlessness.
As we look to 2026 midterms, the rhetoric from the White House is escalating. Steve Bannon has openly called for ICE to "surround the polls" this November, claiming it is necessary to prevent a "stolen" election. When MAGA says what they're going to do we should believe them. This follows Donald Trump's continued and baseless insistence that the 2020 election was stolen from him—a narrative that continues to fuel efforts to nationalize and militarize our election process.
The GOP’s Efforts to Disenfranchise Voters
The threat isn't just at the polling place; it's in the halls of Congress. This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the SAVE America Act in a narrow 218–213 party-line vote. This sweeping legislation would overhaul federal elections by requiring documentary proof of citizenship (like a passport or birth certificate) just to register, and mandating strict photo ID at the polls. Our own Congressman, Michael Baumgartner, not only voted for this bill but has publicly stated he believes only in-person voting is legitimate, signaling a direct opposition to the mail-in voting system that Washingtonians have relied on and trusted for years.
Critics and voting rights groups warn that the SAVE America Act would disenfranchise millions of eligible voters—including those who lack immediate access to birth certificates, students, the elderly, and rural residents—creating massive hurdles just months before the midterms. While the bill now moves to the Senate, where its future is uncertain, the message is clear: there is a coordinated effort to make it harder for you to vote.
Other Affronts to the Constitution
The United States was founded on dissent. The Constitution guarantees our rights to peacefully assemble. The First Amendment does not disappear because Donald Trump finds it inconvenient. DHS and ICE are bound by the Constitution; they do not have special immunity to detain people at protests or decide which political speech is permissible.
If you encounter ICE, do not interfere and stay out of the way. Observation is not interference—you can take photos and video. You have the right to record law enforcement performing their duties in public spaces as long as you do not physically obstruct them. Documentation is accountability.
If You Are Stopped: Know Your Rights
Rights only protect you if you know how to assert them. If you are approached by federal agents, follow these protocols:
| WHAT TO SAY | WHAT NOT TO SAY |
|---|---|
| ✔️ “Am I free to leave?” | ❌ Do not answer questions about immigration status or birthplace. |
| ✔️ “I am exercising my right to remain silent.” | ❌ Do not answer questions about immigration status or birthplace. |
| ✔️ “I do not consent to any searches.” | ❌ Do not lie or provide false documents. |
| ✔️ “I want to speak to a lawyer."” | ❌ Do not argue, insult, or physically resist. |
Silence is your most powerful shield. You are not required to help agents "sort things out" or build a case against you. Silence is not guilt; it is a constitutional right.
Be Prepared: Preparation is Not Escalation
Effective protest and civic participation are disciplined. Before heading out, keep these practical reminders in mind:
Go Together: Protest and vote with others; share your emergency contacts in advance.
Digital Security: Use encrypted messaging and limit real-time posting. The Trump administration is demanding that social media platforms give up information on anti-ICE groups and has pressured companies to remove reporting apps.
Physical Safety: Carry a legal hotline number. If you feel at risk of detention, consider a discreet location device shared only with a trusted contact.
When federal agents appear or laws are passed to restrict the ballot, the goal is deterrence—to make us stay home and stay quiet.
There is no time to despair
Your Walla Walla County Democrats are taking charge. Community defense is lawful and necessary. We will continue to organize, observe, and protect one another. Trump is counting on us to be fearful and ignorant; we are neither.
We need you to:
Join us at Resistance Café every Saturday 9AM at the WW County Democrats Office in the Die Brücke building.
We will need poll watchers for the upcoming primary and general elections. Become a Community Poll worker
Strengthen neighborhood organizing. organize our get out the vote efforts. Local relationships remain the most effective tool for voter engagement and turnout. You can do that here: Sign up to be a precinct officer.
Volunteer at the office. It is a great way to get to know your fellow Democrats.You can do that here: Sign up for WWCD Office Volunteer Shifts
In solidarity,
Linda Gunshefski
Pulse Check: History Only Survives If It’s Recorded
Take Action: Contact Your Senators
The SAVE America Act is a threat to Washingtonians' voting rights. Please call our Senators and urge them to stand against this disenfranchisement:
Senator Patty Murray
DC Office: (202) 224-2621
Richland Office: (509) 453-7462
Senator Maria Cantwell
DC Office: (202) 224-3441
Richland Office: (509) 946-8106