By Victoria Andrews
The theme for Labor Day rallies across the country was “Workers Over Billionaires.” But that didn’t stop people from bringing signs expressing their disapproval of the countless ways the current administration is dismantling democracy.
An average of 350 (more individuals likely, drifting in and out over the course of the two-hour demonstration) participated.
Photos
As with previous rallies, the mood was both positive and determined. We seem to be a safe place for people, not all of whom live in Des Moines.
Capturing the moment was enlightening, and below is a handful of those who chose to spend part of their holiday here and why:
Peg from Southwest Seattle:
“I come here because these are my people. It heartens me to be with this group. We’re doing it for everybody, not just old white people. The two groups – Seniors for the Constitution and Des Moines Indivisible – work together so well.”
Barbara from Shoreline:
“I like to mix it up but I have a friend here and we take turns so sometimes she comes up to Shoreline.”
Scott from Des Moines:
“I’m here because I just hate Trump. I want to be surrounded by like-minded people.”
Esther from North Seattle:
“The other Lady Liberty and I got to these things together. Two weeks ago we were at the Junction in West Seattle. I’m an immigrant and I’m worried – very worried – no, I’m alarmed. Now is the time to get out in the streets and demonstrate.”
Local Dad and his son (who carried a large American flag at the No Kings rally):
“We’re here just to protest this current administration. We’ve come to a few of these.”
Namaste, a pre-school para-educator from Kent:
“This is my first one. I want to stand against the corruption and the stupid Trump administration that wants to dismantle education. And I’m here to support human rights. I also went to the No Kings rally in Tukwila.”
Colleen from Normandy Park:
“I’ve been coming a lot. It’s close, convenient. But I’m seriously thinking of getting on a plane and going to DC! We’re paying taxes, those of us who have worked all our lives. And the immigrant workers are being hauled out of the country. I’ve had enough of this!”
Another Colleen, also from Normandy Park:
“I haven’t seen as many middle fingers today as two weeks ago. I flip my sign if I do- it says, “Do you feel safer yet?” My son’s coming around now because his friends can’t afford to get an apartment without roommates. We both have rentals. I’m not raising the rent and neither is he. He wanted to do something with me today, but I said, ‘No, I’m coming down to the rally.’ This is all I have to give, take up a spot, make a phone call.”
Standing down by 219th was Sue from Des Moines:
“I’ve gone to Renton Indivisible’s rally and also Angle Lake, where I got my sign. I’m a union person. They mean a lot to me. I have a good retirement because of the union.” (Her friend chimed in: “He wants to do away with the federal union executive- he’s just firing everybody.”)
Katherine, age 9, there with her family:
“We went to a protest here before for No Kings. We saw one car with a flag that said, ‘I like Trump.’ What Trump wants is basically he wants to be the king.”
The Des Moines Food Bank collected three big bags of food AND $895! A record. One family from Alaska put a $100 bill in a sealed letter. I bet they aren’t billionaires.
Clara from Normandy Park:
And finally, as I was leaving I asked Clara from Normandy Park why she came down with her grandmother:
“Because of tomato-head!”
