Activists rally in Tacoma for Northwest salmon — next event is April 2 in Olympia

 BY NEWS TRIBUNE STAFF UPDATED MARCH 27, 2022 

 Watch protesters rally against the extinction of endangered salmon in Tacoma 

 Protesters carrying an inflatable orca march through downtown Tacoma to advocate for the removal of the Snake River dams and rally against the extinction of protected salmon in Tacoma, Wash. on Saturday, March 26, 2022. BY CHEYENNE BOONE 

Activists rallied Saturday in Tacoma on behalf of Northwest salmon runs, calling for removal of four dams on the lower Snake River, and seeking attention from state and federal elected officials. 

The “Stop Salmon Extinction — Free the Snake River” event started at the University of Washington Tacoma. Activists then marched to the local federal offices of U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer and U.S. Sens Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray.

 Featured speakers included Puyallup Tribal Council member Annette Bryan and Port of Tacoma Commissioner Kristin Ang. Following the downtown procession, rally participants shifted to Swan Creek Park on the city’s east side for a celebration and park cleanup effort, sponsored by the Puyallup Tribe and Tacoma Ocean Fest. 

Activists plan to follow Saturday’s event with an April 2 rally and “human orca mural” in Olympia. Activities start at 9 a.m. at the Olympia Ballroom, 116 Legion Way SE, Olympia.