Less than 24 hours after the presidential race was called for Donald Trump, people were out in the streets in large numbers in cities across the U.S. and Seattle was no exception. Organizers with the group Socialist Alternative, best known as the party of Kshama Sawant, the socialist city councilwoman, put out a call for people to rally and march at Westlake Park on November 9.
After the rally, the crowd flowed out into the streets. After an initial loop from Westlake to the Federal Building and back, splinter marches broke off. One group continued up the hill to the Capitol Hill neighborhood then turned North on Broadway and proceeded to the University District. Chants of “He’s a rapist and a racist–he doesn’t represent us,” and “Not my president” rang in the night air.
The park in downtown Seattle was packed to capacity, and people strained to hear the rally speakers. Liberation News was there and interviewed some of the participants to find out what had brought them out into the streets.
Rohan said he was motivated to come out because “of the rhetoric created by the election. I have seen so many people overcome by pain, overcome by fear.” His friend Peyton added, “I am just disgusted by the kind of people that are validated by this. I am not afraid of Trump, this country works on checks and balances, but I am afraid of the people he has brought to light.”
Chelsea said, “I’m really upset with the results of the election, I don’t want to be idle, I want to be out and see all the people. I’m wearing all my stuff so that people can see me and my sign and know that we can all come out and see eachother and it’s better than staying inside and sulking.”
Reginald said, “I came out to the protest because Trump is not for what America stands for. Basically, it’s a trap for all of us. I feel sorry for the country. There’s not much we can do now but if we stick together, we might be able to do something in the future. The people have to fight for the people.”
Ben said, “We do not agree with what Donald Trump represents and we do not want him to represent our country.” Cameron added, “We came out to show solidarity with our friends in marginalized groups, our minority friends, our Mexican friends, our LGBTQ friends, to show them they have a support net and the apparent views of this country that have been unveiled are not the views of us here in Washington. We want to show that there is love, that we have love for these people and it will never go away.”
