A Community Without Fear Protest

On Friday February 28th, 2025 at 3:30pm, 350 students and multi-generational community members rallied together in Langley Park—Second Street & Anthes Avenue Langley, WA, in support of victims of mass deportations across the nation and close to home. This was the largest demonstration in Langley since 2017. The rally call for, “A Community Without Fear,” came in response to a recent increase in ICE activity nationally and in the South Whidbey community, affecting families attending South Whidbey Schools. Students are calling for a community response and national pushback on inhumane treatment of immigrants. United Student Leaders believes that no one should be living in fear of forced deportation and separation from their homes and their families.

That week, USL, with the support of Solidarity Over Supremacy, reached out to Mayor Horstman advising her that they would be holding a free speech rally. Upon her request, protesters filed a permit for permission to occupy Second and Anthes for the duration of the demonstration. The special event permit was declined. After rallying their peers to action, students and community supporters took to the streets in a free speech act of civil disobedience despite being told no from the police. The surprise march up Second Street and down First Street brought traffic to a halt. Merchants and customers came out of their stores to watch.