Bajun R. Mavalwalla—an Afghanistan War veteran who served his country overseas—returned home believing deeply in the Constitution he swore to defend. In June 2025, he joined other community members in Spokane to stand up for transparency, accountability, and civil liberties. Their protest was peaceful, public, and centered on long-standing American values: the right to speak, assemble, and challenge government actions.

Yet despite the nonviolent nature of the demonstration, Bajun was arrested by the FBI, along with eight other protesters later known as the “Spokane 9.” Supporters of Mavalwalla argue that the heavy-handed federal response was wildly out of proportion and reflected a broader national strategy encouraged by figures aligned with the Trump administration—including Pam Bondi, Donald Trump, and Kash Patel—to crack down on dissent.

While no court has concluded that these officials directly orchestrated the Spokane arrests, many civil-liberties advocates contend that the political climate they fostered pushed federal agencies toward punitive actions against peaceful demonstrators nationwide. In this view, the Spokane 9 were caught in the machinery of a politicized crackdown—treated not as citizens exercising their rights, but as targets meant to send a message.

For supporters, the injustice is unmistakable:
✔ An Afghanistan War veteran who risked his life for American freedoms was arrested for exercising them at home.
✔ A peaceful protest was met with a federal response completely out of balance with the facts on the ground.
✔ The case illustrates how easily constitutional rights can be trampled when political actors encourage law-enforcement overreach.

Today, the Spokane 9 are a reminder that the right to peacefully protest is not theoretical—it must be defended, especially when those in power attempt to chill dissent. Bajun Mavalwalla’s experience underscores why everyday Americans must remain vigilant: democracy depends on citizens who are free to speak, gather, and hold their government accountable.

These articles and videos provide more details about the arrest of the Spokane 9:

Federal government accuses nine Spokane protesters of violence against ICE

A Test Case to See How Far They Can Go’: Federal Indictment of Anti-ICE Protesters Raises Alarm

Alarm after FBI arrests US army veteran for ‘conspiracy’ over protest against Ice

The arrest of the ‘Spokane 9’ stained by accusations of political justice

FBI Arrests Army Veteran for Conspiracy Over ICE Protest - You Tube Video