Thousands of people participated in the “No Kings” protest at the Washington Capitol Campus in Olympia on Saturday, June 14.
The protest, organized by Olympia Indivisible, was one of more than 2,000 that took place around the country in opposition of policies enacted by President Donald Trump since he took office in January.
“Our mission is to support and protect democracy and civil rights, and the institutions that act as pillars for them,” said Lisa Ornstein, co-founder of Olympia Indivisible, in remarks delivered from a small stage positioned in front of the Capitol Building.
The steps of the Capitol Building were covered with protesters holding signs that included “No Faux-King way” and “No royalty in a people’s republic.” On the Capitol pillars, were banners painted by the organizers that read: “RESIST.”
Speakers at the protest included Mary Hall, Thurston County Auditor, Rachelle Martin, President of the Thurston Lewis Mason Central Labor Council, and Alfie Alvarado, former Director of the Washington State Department of Veteran Affairs (VA).
Hall, an advocate for voting rights, said Trump’s proposals could “tear down the pillars of our democracy,” and called his voting executive order “political propaganda, pure and simple.”
She also said the Trump administration is taking aim at voters across the country.
“Their goal is to make it harder for you to vote,” Hall said. “They are going to take a chain saw to an election system that is working.”
Martin, who is also the president of Cascadia Now, said that under Trump “collective labor is under an immense threat from this authoritarian dictatorship,” and encouraged protesters to join organized labor unions.
Alvarado, who served 22 years in the U.S. Army and now advocates for immigrant veterans rights, said because of Trump’s federal agency reductions, the VA is experiencing understaffed facilities and longer hospital wait times.
“This is not a big beautiful bill,” said Alvarado in referencing "The One Big Beautiful Bill Act," which is a sweeping tax and spending package proposed by Trump. “This is an American dictator’s billionaire benefit bill.”
Katherine Cox, who has been involved in activism since she was young, attended the protest to show that she is “not a fan of Trump" nor his policies.
“We don’t support what he’s doing and how he’s running things,” Cox said. “We’re here to stand here peacefully and show support to everyone who is being hurt by him.”
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JW
Another weekend, another protest and march. At least they didn't join their fellows from Portland in the favorite leftist past time of looting and burning.
Sunday, June 15 Report this
Southsoundguy
Mostly boomers. Totally astroturfed. History has passed these people.
Sunday, June 15 Report this
Localhorizon
I think The Procession of the Species is good training for protests. Olympians had tons of clever signs, good art, good music. It reminded me how arts and music have historically served as powerful tools for anti-fascist movements, offering creative expressions of resistance, defiance, and solidarity
The general atmosphere was joyful and friendly. We ran bro neighbors and coworkers and fellow union members.
Our group was four generations and I noticed that the entire rally was equally multi-generational and multi-ethnic.
There were several support booths and advocacy, lending to the street-fair like atmosphere. I picked up a pocket constitution at one booth. Folks were handing out stickers and bottled water. Aid stations had cookies and bandaids and nurses.
This is what democracy looks like.
Sunday, June 15 Report this
Mugwump
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Monday, June 16 Report this
Southsoundguy
Whatever looney tunes.
Monday, June 16 Report this
Arete
Wonderful for these good people organizing and working to win back America for TRUE Americans.
Tuesday, June 17 Report this