SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – There were hundreds of protests held this weekend across the nation and in Europe in response to the recent killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti at the hands of federal immigration agents. National organizers said they were mobilizing the nation to protest ICE in cities, communities, and neighborhoods with the theme of “ICE Out of Everywhere.”

The protest in South Lake Tahoe drew an estimated 560 people to Lakeview Commons. Young and old, the protesters were from different demographics, all with a reason to show up and voice their concerns.

One of those was Leon Malmed, a South Lake Tahoe resident and author who survived WWII by being hidden by a French family after Germany invaded France. Born in France in 1937, Leon was only a few years old when his parents were arrested by the Nazis in Occupied France in 1942. He immigrated to the United States in 1964 and wrote his memoir, We Survived….At Last, I Speak, in 2013.

“We’re seeing the same thing today as 1939-1944,” said Malmed. “Hitler was about hate; the same thing is happening [with Trump].”

Leon and his wife Patricia carried signs that read, “Freedom is to Live Without Fear,” and “25th – The Mad King!”

“I can’t not be here,” said long-time local Julie Jacobs Lowe. “I’ve had enough of this – kids taken away from parents. These are human beings; we are losing our 1st amendment rights. I don’t want to look back and say ‘what did I do?’ It’s not okay.”

There were several South Tahoe High and South Tahoe Middle School students taking part in the after-school protest. “We can’t stay silent,” said Sophomore Isabella Mendiola. “Silence is going to hurt us.”

“So excited to see the tremendous turnout, and equally relieved and grateful that the gathering has remained peaceful and truly diverse,” said local organizer Colleen Bye, founder of South Lake Tahoe Indivisible. “I have had wonderful support from Amy Ward and Beck Ward, who have been instrumental in getting the word out and strengthening our outreach and organization after joining the leadership team this summer.”

“I am so proud of the South community for what they’re able to accomplish when we work together,” said Beck Ward, the founder of the Democratic Club at Lake Tahoe Community College. “It has been an absolute honor being able to organize events in this awesome community, and to be able to see the impact that you’re making is beyond the best feeling in the world.”

Poster photos by Jim Dougherty:

Friday’s protest follows several over the last few years, and it won’t be the last, with some more national protest days in the works.

“Our immediate priorities are to advance the resolution through City Council and to expand our leadership team,” said local Bye. “We also plan to launch a newsletter to share timely information and clear, actionable steps for community members. While preparing for the midterms is essential, our focus right now is on building strong local infrastructure and organizing effectively within the community first.”

A draft of the resolution Bye would like the Council to adopt:

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH LAKE TAHOE REAFFIRMING THE CITY’S COMMITMENT TO THE RIGHTS, DIGNITY, AND SAFETY OF ALL RESIDENTS, REGARDLESS OF IMMIGRATION STATUS, AND OPPOSING UNCONSTITUTIONAL FEDERAL ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS AND OVERREACH

WHEREAS, the City of South Lake Tahoe (the “City”) is a diverse mountain community that thrives because of the contributions of residents of many backgrounds, including immigrants who are essential to the local workforce, economy, culture, and alpine heritage; and

WHEREAS, maintaining trust between the City government (including the South Lake Tahoe Police Department) and all residents is essential to effective public safety, emergency response, and community well-being; and

WHEREAS, when residents fear immigration enforcement, they are less likely to report crimes, seek medical assistance, attend school, or participate in civic life, which undermines public safety for the entire community; and

WHEREAS, California’s Values Act (SB 54) limits the use of state and local resources for federal civil immigration enforcement in order to preserve community trust and focus local law enforcement on public safety; and

WHEREAS, the City is committed to full compliance with SB 54 and other applicable state and federal laws, and to ensuring that City resources are used to serve local priorities and constitutional obligations; and

WHEREAS, recent federal actions, including the use of militarized enforcement tactics and deployment of federal agents without coordination with local jurisdictions, have raised serious concerns regarding constitutional rights, due process, life safety, and local authority over public safety.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH LAKE TAHOE AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. Reaffirmation of Sanctuary Policies

The City of South Lake Tahoe reaffirms its longstanding policy of being a welcoming and inclusive community for all residents. Consistent with California law, no City department, official, or employee shall use City funds, personnel, equipment, or facilities to assist in the enforcement of federal civil immigration law, except as required by law.

SECTION 2. Limits on Cooperation with Federal Immigration Enforcement

Except as required by state or federal law, City employees and the South Lake Tahoe Police Department shall not:

  • Honor or respond to immigration detainer requests or administrative warrants that are not accompanied by a judicial warrant signed by a judge;
  • Provide federal immigration authorities access to non-public areas of City property without a judicial warrant;
  • Inquire into or collect information regarding an individual’s immigration status during routine City business or law enforcement activities;
  • Share non-public personal information, including home addresses or work schedules, for purposes of civil immigration enforcement.

SECTION 3. Opposition to Unconstitutional Federal Overreach

The City Council formally opposes federal immigration enforcement actions that violate constitutional protections, including the Fourth and Fifth Amendments, or that undermine civil liberties through intimidation, excessive force, or lack of due process. The City Attorney is directed to monitor federal actions impacting the City and to take appropriate action, consistent with the City’s authority, to protect the rights of South Lake Tahoe residents.

SECTION 4. Protection of City Resources

The City Manager shall ensure that City resources remain focused on local priorities, including public safety, snow removal, housing, and infrastructure, and are not diverted to support federal civil immigration enforcement activities.

SECTION 5. Community Education and Rights Awareness

The City shall collaborate with community-based organizations and non-profits to provide “Know Your Rights” information in English and Spanish, informing residents of their rights under the United States Constitution and California law.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of South Lake Tahoe on this ____ day of __________, 2026.