Local groups to gather in Centralia for protest against ICE detention centers

Local activist groups will wave signs in downtown Centralia this weekend as part of the "Communities Not Cages National Day of Action to Stop ICE Warehouse Detention," according to a news release.

Rural Lewis County Indivisibles, Rooted in Lewis County, United Food and Commercial Workers and other groups will gather at George Washington Park on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. for a "peaceful sign-waving rally."

According to the news release, the event is part of a national movement to raise awareness of the expansion of ICE detention centers in the country and denounce the development of "large-scale, makeshift detention warehouses."

"(They) will exponentially increase the likelihood of abuse and death in ICE custody," reads the news release. "Which tragically is already at an all-time high under the Trump administration."

Organizers of the event warn that detention warehouses could pop up virtually anywhere and house between 1,500 and 10,000 individuals. They also claim the warehouses can divert critical resources such as water and electricity and cause other issues, such as reducing tax revenue.

The two-hour rally will include speakers, news and information for those in attendance. According to the news release, the nationwide event is organized by Disappeared in America, Detention Watch Network, Indivisible, MoveOn, Public Citizen and Worker's Circle.

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This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 11:32 AM.