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Monday night in Volunteer Park: Rally against Trump’s immigration national emergency — UPDATE: Shovel for democracy!

Marchers at November’s protest

UPDATE 3:15 PM: Organizers are finding Volunteer Park is still pretty iced over and are putting out a call for volunteers to help make the space safe for Monday night’s rally. Here’s a message sent to CHS from Maggie Cuevas of SEA NO H8:

we have been hoping snow would melt from the venue for the protest tmrw. it has not. we’ll be staging at sculpture and could use the public’s help to clear sidewalks of snow to provide disabled access plus ensure safety for others. if at all possible to post a call for folks to come help out… in front of the black hole sun sculpture and sidewalks around the space.

They’ll be out there Sunday afternoon into the evening if you have a shovel and would like to lend a hand.

UPDATE 3:30 PM: Don’t head to the park just yet — organizers are working things out with Seattle Parks staff. UPDATE 5:20 PM: Permit issues have been worked out. Stop by Sunday night if you can help shovel. They’ll also be back out before the rally Monday starting at 3:30 PM.

Original report: Political leaders and activists will lead a rally in Capitol HIll’s Volunteer Park Monday night to protest President Donald Trump’s declaration of a national emergency on immigration at the southern border:

Join a national day of protest to preserve our constitutional democracy against an illegal power grab by the president to advance his dangerous policies that run against true American values and the rule of law. MoveOn, with the help of local community organizers, is mobilizing national rapid-response events against Trump’s #FakeNationalEmergency and hate-driven agenda. Please join us to stand up for our democracy and to stand with our immigrant, Muslim, and Black and brown communities.

Seattle Protect Democracy Rally

Rep. Pramila Jayapal and Rep. Adam Smith are expected to be among the speakers. Attendees are asked to bring a candle to light to “stand against hate with hope and light.”

The rally is being organized by MoveOn, Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network, Indivisible WA-8, SEA NO H8, and Seattle Indivisible.

The same core brought thousands including Gov. Jay Inslee to Cal Anderson Park in November for a rally and march to protest Trump administration interference in special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of Russia’s influence on the 2016 election.

Organizers say to watch for updates for the exact location in Volunteer Park where the rally will be held. Recent snowy and icy weather has left the park sopping wet and full of downed branches.

UPDATE: Here’s more on Monday’s rally from the organizers at MoveOn:

A coalition of community organizers from the greater Seattle area are mobilizing to stand with MoveOn.org as they lead a day of national protest against the president’s declaration of a national emergency to facilitate the building of a wall at our country’s southern border. The protest and vigil, to stand in solidarity with asylum seekers, immigrants and other marginalized communities, will take place on President’s Day, Monday, February 18, 5:30-7:30pm at Volunteer Park in Capitol Hill, Seattle. Speakers include Congressional Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-7) and Adam Smith (WA-9). The program will also include U.S. Army combat veteran Chris Franco, immigrant rights advocates and others.

“Under the current administration there has been a consistent erosion of human rights targeting immigrant, Muslims, LGBTQ, Latino/a and other marginalized communities. This newest development is just another attempt to undermine these communities and also represents a direct attack on our constitutional democracy,” said Maggie Cuevas, Founder, SEANOH8. “We stand by the rule of law and will not allow our constitutional democracy to be eroded so that the president can deliver on a campaign promise that is anathema to the true values of this country.”

 

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Maggie
Maggie
5 years ago

Hi. We have a great team of volunteers pulling this event together to support the national day of protest being led by MoveOn.org as detailed in this article (Thanks CHS). We’ll be staging the event in front of the iconic Black Sun Isamu Noguchi sculpture because the amphitheater and field are still covered in ice and snow. We just need some help shoveling a few more yards of sidewalk around this area and would appreciate volunteer help. We’ll be back out there at 3:30 on Monday or please feel free to shovel on your own. Please do not use salt, per the City’s directive. Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you Monday night. – Volunteer Event Team, Protect Democracy Rally