A season of protest has come to Capitol Hill. Saturday and Sunday, two groups active in the area with marches and rallies took to the streets around the neighborhood with small but spirited protests. Meanwhile, there is more to come with a large rally planned for December 3rd in Volunteer Park for a group we think most people agree have a lot to say about the incoming administration — women.

Saturday, it was the anarchists’ turn with an anti-Trump, anti-KKK, anti-police march from Cal Anderson winding its way through the nightlife district with a 100 or so protesters shouting anti-fascist, pro-immigrant statements and mostly complying with the relatively massive turnout of SPD vehicles and bike patrol officers. “No more presidents,” was the demand. There were no arrests and the march ended after around two hours with the group debriefing in Cal Anderson and discussing upcoming protest opportunities.

Say it loud say it clear, immigrants are welcome here. On 11th along Cal anderson pic.twitter.com/bYVRselckj

— jseattle (@jseattle) November 20, 2016

Sunday, the Black Freedom Front Seattle lead an Occupy-style rally and long, meandering march starting at Seattle Central and attracting between 200 to 300 people according to police. Organizer Mohawk Kuzma told the crowd about his recent travels to Atlanta where on election night as the results came in, he joined a protest and told the Georgians about Seattle’s solidarity with their fight against bigotry. In their turn with the microphone, another protester said, “Don’t ever tell a person of color to get over this shit. We are going to be targeted for the rest of our lives.”

Off of the internet, into the streets :) pic.twitter.com/43YWYPyqBe

— jseattle (@jseattle) November 21, 2016

Through both nights, SPD has shown a large and mostly restrained presence with bike officers representing the bulk of the visible force with SPD vehicle units traveling ahead and mostly being used to clear traffic for the marches. We’re not aware of any significant damage related to the several protests that have already crossed the Hill and are also not aware of any arrests in the East Precinct. The chamber of commerce sent out a bulletin alerting its member businesses to the weekend’s protest plans.

More activism is expected to follow. District 3 representative has withstood a barrage of threats following her call for a January 20th, 2017 Inauguration Day general strike across the nation.

December 3rd marks one of the largest upcoming local protests with plans for the Seattle Women March Against Hate to start that Saturday in Volunteer Park:

♥♥♥ HI FRIENDS, READ THIS BEFORE YOU POST ♥♥♥

We must stand together to show the world that misogyny, misogynoir, racism, xenophobia, transmisogyny, transphobia, and hate of any kind is not welcome in this city. Together we can show the world that women will not be bullied by anyone—not even the next president.

—-> Sign up for the event newsletter: http://bit.ly/2g9jfp3 <—-
—-> Sign up for the volunteer newsletter: http://bit.ly/2f5YB6K <—-

IMPORTANT: People of all races, ethnicities, sizes, gender, religions, sexuality, & abilities are highly encouraged to attend this peaceful event.

ALSO IMPORTANT: This is a voluntary event. If you disagree with the mission or name of the march, you do not have to attend. I urge you to start your own public action.

We’re in contact with organizers Demi Wetzel and Kelsey Coleman about the plans for the event and will update when we learn more. Thousands are expected to attend.

UPDATE: Wetzel said she decided to organize the event on the whim but that support and interest has swelled:

The organizers include myself, Kelsey Coleman, and every attendee. Though I originally started the FB event page on a whim, the community has since stepped up and helped organize right alongside myself. My inbox is currently flooded with people offering their help and guidance.

“The past few years have been incredibly traumatizing for me as a woman. We were called pigs. We were called nasty women,” Wetzel wrote in a message to supporters. “We were called liars. We were physically pushed around at rallies. We were harassed online and offline. We were told our voices did not matter. And finally, we watched as a racist, known sexual predator was chosen to be the next president of our country.”

Of the event, Wetzel said the march “will be living proof that women are powerful and we cannot be divided.”