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LYNNWOOD—In a joint message released on Monday, Lynnwood Mayor George Hurst and Police Chief Cole Langdon reaffirmed the city’s commitment to welcoming all community members regardless of origin, amid concerns over ICE activities and recent violence against protesters in Minneapolis.

Mayor Hurst and Chief Langdon dispelled rumors about Lynnwood police involvement, and pledged adherence to the 2019 Keep Washington Working Act that limited local enforcement of federal immigration laws.

Below is their join statement in its entirety regarding ICE activity in Lynnwood:

The City of Lynnwood is steadfast in its belief that our community members from across the world belong and are welcome. For weeks, we have witnessed the senseless acts of violence in Minneapolis against protestors who are standing up against the questionable removal of their neighbors at the hands of ICE and our federal government.   

We have experienced ICE activity in our own community. During times of unrest, rumors and misinformation begin to swirl, and the lines between reality and fiction become blurred. There have been questions, comments, and confusion about the City’s, specifically the Lynnwood Police Department’s, involvement with this activity.  

Chief Langdon and I are committed to continuing to comply with the 2019 Keep Washington Working Act, which restricts the involvement of state and local law enforcement in enforcing civil federal immigration law. 

If you see this activity in our community or are unsure about a situation involving an unmarked vehicle, please call 911.   

Our officers will carry out their duties of responding to crimes committed within our City, encouraging crime prevention strategies, and engaging with community members respectfully and without discrimination.  

For those of you who are expressing your First Amendment right to assemble and peacefully protest what is happening in our community, we will continue to firmly support your right to do so. 

This is a tumultuous time in our country’s history. While we may not always have immediate answers, we encourage you to reach out to us with any questions to help clear up any confusion about what is happening in our community.

George Hurst
Mayor, City of Lynnwood

Cole Langdon
Chief of Police, Lynnwood Police Department

Author: Mario Lotmore