About 200 people gathered Friday morning on the steps of the capitol in Olympia, Washington, to peacefully protest the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.
High school and community college students and others urged the audience to organize and resist efforts to discriminate against immigrants, minorities, women, the disabled, and the elderly. Some spoke of treating people with love to get the best results and not give in to hate.
One high school student said:
We will not sit and complain. We will serve our communities. We will not isolate ourselves. We will reach out to our neighbors and friends who need us most. We will not cry and lie down, but instead we will smile and stand up. We will march on and find what we truly believe in and what we’re made of, whether we’re made of something flimsy and bendable or stubborn and strong. We are here to show the world the difference between right and wrong, and refuse to quit and be on the wrong side of history.
Hand-lettered signs saying, “Not my president,” were sprinkled throughout the crowd.
One demonstrator called on people to “Stand Together” and “Impeach Trump.”
Another urged the crowd to “Resist Bigotry.”
A bright red sign read, “Agitate, Collaborate, Grab Back.”
Consumer issues also were address with “Capitalism Doesn’t Work for the 99%.”
During the program, one protester, with a sign that said: “Illegitimate, Hateful, Ignorant, Dangerous…Resist” moved across the crowd to hold his sign over the head of the lone Trump identified supporter.
A few demonstrators wore Pink Pussycat hats that are expected to dominate the Women’s March at the capitol Saturday and other Women’s Marches throughout the country including Washington, D.C.
