HOW IS THIS LEGAL? A Democrat "Resistance Lab" is TARGETING ICE! Rep. Pramila Jayapal says she’s trained 30,000 people to take to the streets. She called it “inspiring” when protesters surround courtrooms to keep ICE agents out. The Seattle Democrat launched Resistance Lab through her campaign in early 2025. In an April town hall, she said the labs had trained 30,000 people in all 50 states in what she described as effective, nonviolent ways to confront authoritarians and dictators. On May 1, she posted: “30,000 people trained. Open spots for May 3.” That number is Jayapal’s campaign count. Earlier, she told Joy Reid the total was over 10,000, while campaign emails last fall cited more than 17,000. The Zoom sessions last about 90 minutes to two and a half hours and include breakout groups. Organizers also collect names of people willing to host in-person watch gatherings. Jayapal has said the goal is to get people “strike-ready and street-ready.” Harvard Kennedy School scholar Erica Chenoweth helped shape the early curriculum on nonviolent action. The campaign also offers an Immigration Justice Resistance Lab, which Jayapal leads herself. She is the ranking Democrat on the House immigration subcommittee. Jayapal has promoted the labs by declaring, “We have the power to stop ICE from terrorizing our communities!” A January session with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison was advertised as a way to nonviolently resist ICE. And she has been specific about the tactics she admires. In an interview, Jayapal called it “inspiring” when people encircle courtrooms and refuse to let ICE agents in. She added that there are many nonviolent resistance tactics people can use. Her campaign emails have pointed to Tesla protests, crews filming ICE and “nonviolent barriers” as examples of the movement she wants to grow. The Sept. 27 Mobilize listing says participants should leave “strike-ready and street-ready.” That next lab is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 27, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Pacific, with a focus on immigration justice. People who register receive a Zoom link. Jayapal represents Washington’s 7th District. She previously chaired the Congressional Progressive Caucus and founded the immigrant advocacy group that became OneAmerica before entering elected office. Resistance Lab is a campaign organizing project, not a House committee program. Its trainings are described as nonviolent. Whether anyone later crosses the line into impeding federal officers depends on what they actually do. #ICE #Resistance