The People’s March Seattle protest resumed Saturday as part of the nationwide demonstrations leading up to Donald Trump’s inauguration. While a small portion of the attendees were people of color, the majority of the crowd was predominantly white. Thousands gathered at Cal Anderson Park and marched to Seattle Center for the event.
This annual protest, which emerged during Trump’s first presidential term, made a comeback as inaugural events unfolded in Washington, D.C., in anticipation of Monday’s inauguration. Chants of “This is what democracy looks like” echoed through the streets, though the atmosphere was largely subdued as marchers walked down Pine Street, passing the Paramount Theatre on their way to Seattle Center.
The emotions among marchers included anger, frustration, and exhaustion, as they carried vibrant signs bearing messages like “Reproductive rights are human rights” and “We won’t go back, equal rights are human rights.” Similar marches occurred in cities nationwide, such as Los Angeles, San Diego, Washington, D.C., New York, Austin, and Chicago. Internationally, demonstrations were also held in the United Kingdom, Mexico, Canada, and Poland, as people around the world prepared for the transition of power in the U.S. government.
Demonstrators advocated for a range of issues including women’s reproductive rights, racial justice, human rights, environmental justice, democracy, and increased opportunities for education and employment. Many participants donned pink hats while marching along the closed streets on a brisk, sunny morning in Seattle. A police officer estimated the crowd at around 3,500, marking a noticeable decrease compared to previous Seattle marches.
Following President-elect Trump’s inauguration in 2017, the first Seattle Women’s March attracted at least 120,000 participants. In 2018, organizers anticipated 25,000 attendees but were met with over 100,000. Advocacy groups such as Planned Parenthood, the Urban Native Education Alliance, the Refugee Women’s Alliance, and the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project collaborated with Women’s March Seattle to support the protest.
Source: Seattle Medium
