Activists hold signs during a protest near Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Tacoma, Wash., April 19, 2026, opposing U.S. military exercises abroad. (From Facebook/@BAYANWashington)
More than 250 people rallied over the weekend in the Tacoma area, including outside Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), to protest U.S.-led military exercises in the Philippines and broader American military actions abroad.
The demonstrations kicked off a week of action tied to the Balikatan drills. Organizers said the Pacific Northwest anti-war movement is also voicing opposition to U.S. conflicts globally, including what they described as aggression toward Iran.
At a Friday community forum in Tacoma, about 120 people heard from local activists. A speaker identified as Bernie, with Anakbayan South Seattle, criticized what he described as predatory military recruitment targeting South Seattle students.
“Students impacted by the economic crisis and limited education consider joining the military,” Bernie said. “But they are seeing how this country is escalating wars. Filipinos in the U.S. military are being deployed to wage this terror. These kids do not want to die in these wars.”
The forum concluded with attendees endorsing a unity statement opposing what organizers called “U.S.-led war and plunder,” including actions they attributed to President Donald Trump related to Iran.
A larger protest followed Sunday near the base, drawing more than 150 participants. Organizers plan additional events in the Seattle-Tacoma area through April 25.
Leave a Reply