War veterans, legal experts and community supporters are outraged that a former army sergeant, 35-year-old Bajun Mavalwalla II was arrested in the early hours of July 15, 2025, over a month after he participated in a protest at the Homeland Security office in Spokane, Washington State on June 11. According to the activist group 50501 Movement (50 protests, 50 states, one movement against US President Donald Trump’s policies), the veteran’s arrest sends a message that "if you speak up, if you dissent, if you challenge injustice, the government will come for you.”
Mavalwalla II who was reportedly injured by a rubber bullet at the melee had responded to a call inviting protestors to oppose the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid on undocumented immigrants. Some among the protestors had reportedly blocked the driveway, released air from the tires and painted the windshield of the vehicle that was meant to transport the detainees from Spokane to Tacoma for their immigration hearings. The Spokane Police Department reportedly deployed crowd control measures that included inert smoke and pepper balls. One of these was apparently thrown back in the direction of the officials. More than two dozen people were arrested at the scene, but Mavalwalla II was not among them.
Federal agents arrested him the morning he was preparing to move into a new house. "This is not how I planned to spend my moving day,” the erstwhile sergeant was heard in a video recording of the arrest captured by his father Bajun Mavalwalla (both father and son bear the same name).
Bajun Mavalwalla II (l) with father Bajun Mavalwalla when
serving the US defence force in Afghanistan
Top and inset: Bajun Mavalwalla II being arrested;
above: immigration crackdown and protests Photos: Wikipedia
In the indictment reported at length on the website of the Department of Justice: United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Washington, Mavalwalla II was among the nine charged with "conspiracy to impede or injure officers.” While he pleaded not guilty in federal court, if convicted, he faces up to six years in prison and a $ 250,000 (Rs 2.21 crore) fine. Media reports indicated that while awaiting trial, he was free.
John Moses, a retired non-commissioned army officer who served in Afghanistan and co-founded the Massachusetts Afghan Alliance, was quoted in The Guardian of September 5, "If they go after a combat veteran with a veteran father, it becomes easier to go after everyone else. We have to stand up for civilians and our democracy.” During his posting in Afghanistan, Mavalwalla junior had survived a roadside bomb blast during a special operations mission. Subsequently he had been commended for his efforts to help Afghans after the US withdrawal in 2021. He raised more than $150,000 (Rs 1.33 crore) to assist families in danger, helping them secure documents, medical care and safe passage. After opting out of military service, as founder owner of Nebula Group USA, LLC, he has been leading an international sales and training team offering services in the fields of political consulting, strategic planning, program management, virtual assistance and research skills, as indicated on Linkedin.
Before Mavalwalla II, his parents had served the US military, as reported on Diya TV on September 3. His father earned three bronze stars for service in Iraq and Afghanistan. Mother, Ellyn, too was enlisted by the Army. One of their forebears is said to have worked with Mahatma Gandhi in Africa. Days after the protest, Ellyn texted him, "Channel your inner Gandhi.” He replied, "Always non-violence.” Believing that the authorities targeted "the demonstrator with a funny name,” the father remarked, "I worry that our country is being taken over by fascists. But I also believe the promise of America will endure.”