Local Indivisible coalitions hold vigils, protest walks calling for abolishment of ICE

By Camille DeVaul · Thu Jan 15 2026

SLO County sheriff and district attorney respond to recent criticism

NORTH COUNTY — Several local coalitions under the national organization Indivisible held protest walks and vigils over the past weekend, asking for the abolishment of ICE. The "call to action" comes after Renee Nicole Good was fatally shot on Jan. 7 by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer.

On Sunday, Jan. 11, people gathered at Atascadero Lake Pavilion for a protest walk around the lake, followed by a candlelight vigil honoring Good and other individuals who they say were killed by ICE in 2025.

Atascadero News spoke with Linda Baker, a member of the Indivisible SLO County Rapid Response Team. She was the lead organizer of the Jan. 11 event. Baker explained that the events over the weekend protesting ICE were planned by the national branch of Indivisible.

"We're honoring Renee Nicole Good, who was killed, and also all of the other people that have been killed by ICE in 2025," Baker explained. "There's some 37 of them. Some died on the street, like Renee did. Most of them died in detention centers. We're honoring their memory."

Indivisible was formed when President Donald Trump was elected for his first term in 2016. They are described as a progressive grassroots movement, focused on strengthening what it describes as a real democracy “of, by, and for the people.” Originating from the Indivisible Guide, the movement has grown into a nationwide network of thousands of autonomous local groups and millions of activists who organize community-based actions and advocate for progressive policies.

Local Indivisible coalitions include: Avila Beach Indivisible, Cambria Indivisible, Estero Bay Indivisible, Indivisible Nipomo, Indivisible North SLO County, Indivisible San Luis Obispo County, and the Indivisible SLO County Rapid Response Team. Other local organizations have joined the coalition's efforts, though, including, but not limited to, the Atascadero Democratic Club, Cuesta College Democratic Club, El Moro Democratic Club, Paso Robles Democratic Club, SLO 50501, SLO County Democratic Party, and the South County Democratic Club of SLO County.

"[Membership] spiked just recently with many of the things that are happening ... they grow up in communities based on what their community needs," Baker told ATN.

Baker explained to ATN that the coalition wants "ICE out of our county," calling them a secret police force that is "acting unlawfully and hurting people."

Baker claims that ICE comes to make arrests without warrants, faces masked and don't identify themselves.

"They just pick people up off the street," she said. "They pick them up when they're coming out of jail, and those people do have the right to refuse an ICE interview, but they're not our local sheriff; he's not honoring that. They pick people up in Home Depot parking lots."

The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office received criticism from local media and residents for working with ICE after a video of a confrontation between ICE agents and protestors at the SLO County Jail circulated. Protestors were in attendance for the incident. Shortly after the incident, the SLO County Sheriff's Office commented on the video, saying:

The Sheriff’s Office is releasing video related to an incident that occurred Sunday, December 14, in the Jail lobby involving ICE agents and protestors.

During the incident, there was a confrontation between the two groups that included obscenities directed at ICE agents and physical interactions. Sheriff’s Office employees should not be subjected to disturbances, obscene behavior, or foul language while carrying out their duties.

This video is being shared to remind the public that this type of behavior is unacceptable and unlawful under Penal Code 602.1. This law applies when a person intentionally interferes with lawful business conducted by employees of a public agency open to the public, including obstructing or intimidating employees, visitors, or members of the public.

Individuals who violate this law may be asked to leave the premises and may be subject to arrest if they refuse. The Sheriff’s Office has posted signage in the Jail lobby advising visitors that Penal Code 602.1 will be enforced.

Baker also criticized SLO County Sheriff Ian Parkinson and the SLO County Board of Supervisors for not being transparent about their cooperation with ICE and holding a TRUTH (Transparent Review of Unjust Transfers and Holds) Act Report hearing.

Baker said, "We're concerned because our county Board of Supervisors has not made a declaration that our local law enforcement won't cooperate with ICE ... there's a state law that says that if local law enforcement works with ICE to do immigration sweeps, they have to let the local community know. They have to regularly report about that once a year.
Locally, we haven't had one of those reports for two years."

In response to criticism and the accusations received about working with ICE, along with becoming an ICE-free zone, the SLO County Sheriff's Office released the following statement to ATN:

Recent accusations that the Sheriff’s Office is cooperating with ICE are inaccurate. Those claims were first raised publicly with the Tribune, prompting questions to our office. In response, the Sheriff initiated a review of the incident and contacted ICE agents regarding their actions that day. ICE provided video of the encounter, which was consistent with our own jail video. Because the Sheriff’s Office video did not include audio, the ICE video was shared to provide full transparency and context.

The public has a right to accurate information. Sharing the video was intended to address misinformation, not to assist immigration enforcement. The Sheriff’s Office does not enforce federal immigration law and does not cooperate with ICE in immigration enforcement activities.

The Sheriff does not support the designation of “ICE-free zones.” His responsibility is to operate the Sheriff’s Office in compliance with state law, ensure safety in County facilities, and remain transparent with the public.

After an X repost, SLO County District Attorney Dan Dow also came under fire from local media for his stance on the fatal shooting of Good.

Reposting an X tweet from Vice President JD Vance, Dow said, “Sadly the people with an anti-Trump agenda will all jump to conclusion (intentionally) so they can 'frame' the narrative for the masses. Let this tragedy be a loud and sobering reminder to all: DO NOT interfere, obstruct, or delay law enforcement in the performance of their duties. If you do, you put yourself squarely in danger. And NEVER EVER use force against a law enforcement officer, it may be the very last thing you ever do.”

Atascadero News reached out to Dow for comment on his posts, the recent anti-ICE protests in the county, and also for comment on the coalition's agenda for an ICE-free zone in SLO County.

He responded: "Without question, the right to protest, petition, and to exercise free speech in a public forum is welcome and protected in the USA and has been for the 250 years of our existence. The right to lawfully protest is alive and well in San Luis Obispo County. Due to the various motives to engage in protest and the inherent passion and emotion that is involved, protest can easily get out of hand and cross the line from lawful to unlawful, and become a criminal activity. San Luis Obispo County will always respect the right to protest lawfully, but we will not tolerate activities that break the law. Protest activity that turns violent or otherwise criminal will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of California law by the District Attorney's Office, like any other type of crime that is referred to our office. If charges are filed, each defendant will be treated fairly and with respect and dignity throughout the criminal and victim justice system. While a criminal complaint is the District Attorney’s indication that there is sufficient evidence to convict beyond a reasonable doubt, a defendant is entitled to the legal presumption of innocence until they are proven guilty in court by their plea, a judge, or jury."

He continued, addressing the request for ICE free zones saying, they cannot be legally created or enforced.

He continued, “The idea to create an ICE-free zone is nothing more than silly political rhetoric that has no legal effect and is not enforceable. Our United States Constitution contains what is called the 'Supremacy Clause' that makes clear that Federal law is supreme and is the 'law of the land' over any state law that conflicts with it. State and local government may not overrule any law of the United States, whether they like it or not. Similarly, the idea of creating a “sanctuary state” or “sanctuary county” is only symbolic for the same reasons. Federal agencies have jurisdiction for their lawful activity anywhere within the borders of the United States or its territories.

“I will always support the rights of people to protest; however, I strongly urge them to do so safely and within the limits of both federal and California law. Any behavior that is violent or otherwise criminal will detract from the weight and value of your political speech because it is likely to lead to arrest and prosecution.”

The supremacy clause, Dow explains, is:

Article VI, Clause 2: This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.

Baker says that she believes more people are becoming aware of what is at risk, saying that ICE regulation is not a partisan issue.

"When we have people like this that are picking up American citizens unlawfully and killing them and detaining them, everybody's at risk," Baker said. "It isn't just special, marginalized groups. When there isn't any rule of law, we're all at risk. I think people are starting to realize what's happening."

The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors will hold its annual TRUTH Act Report hearing and community forum on Tuesday, Jan. 27, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Katcho Achadjian Government Center in San Luis Obispo, with the TRUTH Act item scheduled for the afternoon session.

Members of the public may comment in person, with live Spanish interpretation available, and written comments may be submitted by email, though virtual comments will not be accepted.

The TRUTH Act hearing will be streamed live at slocounty.ca.gov

Public comments may be made in person or by email at boardofsups@co.slo.ca.us

Feature Image: Anti-ICE protesters, some carrying signs took a walk around Atascadero Lake to demonstrate against government anti-immigration actions. Photo by Rick Evans/ATN