Hands off !

They Came for Democracy and Their Future

The crowds streamed in from West Seattle Saturday. From High Point and Delridge. From Arbor Heights and Alki. From Gatewood and Admiral. They joined throngs of others at the Seattle Center for Seattle Hands Off! It was the largest protest in the city so far against Donald Trump and his policies.

Perhaps more than 20,000 people crowded into the lawn on both sides of the fountain at Seattle Center. They jammed the basin of the fountain itself as well as the sidewalks fanning out along the sides of the lawn. There was music. And there were speeches.

But the message was simple: No more, President Trump. Enough, Elon Musk.

West Seattle Indivisible helped to organize the protest with fellow Indivisible chapters and other groups. The protest was but one of more than 1300 held across the country on Saturday.

Those who came were worried about how their children’s school would survive as its funding is slashed. They stood with signs because they feared the lifeline of Social Security could fray. They raised their voices in solidarity with their immigrant brothers and sisters. They protested for science and threatened federal workers. They stood for the LGBTQ+ community. And they made a stand for the rule of law.

All were united to save our democracy, to preserve our constitution and maintain our civil liberties.