People cheer as they listen to speakers gathered outside the Snohomish County courthouse in Everett during a rally to protest the 1-year anniversary of the inauguration of President Donald Trump on Saturday. (Ian Terry / The Herald)

People cheer as they listen to speakers gathered outside the Snohomish County courthouse in Everett during a rally to protest the 1-year anniversary of the inauguration of President Donald Trump on Saturday. (Ian Terry / The Herald)

Everett marchers: ‘There’s too much to protest’ for one sign

About 150 people joined the “March to Impeach” from the waterfront to a county courthouse rally.

EVERETT — With placards and chants, protesters voiced their disgust for President Donald Trump as they marched from Everett’s waterfront to downtown for a political rally Saturday.

They called it the “March to Impeach.” By the time they gathered at noon outside the Snohomish County courthouse, the crowd had grown to roughly 150. It was a smaller counterpart to a march in Seattle that drew tens of thousands of participants, and similar events around the globe.

Like many marchers, Kathleen Sather, of Monroe, could rattle off a stream of concerns about the current political climate. Reproductive rights, equal pay for women and racial discrimination were among the top ones for her.

“There’s a whole laundry list,” the 66-year-old spa owner said in downtown Everett.

A sign elsewhere in the throng summed up the mood on the chilly morning, one year to the day since Trump’s inauguration: “There’s too much to protest to put on one sign.”

Others clamored for universal health care, environmental protections and immigrant rights.

Some people from the area headed down I-5 to join the Seattle Women’s March 2.0.

Paula Townsell, a land-use planner from Everett, felt the “the same incredible energy” as a year ago, with better organization and a slight change in focus.

“Last year felt global — this year it felt personal,” she said.

Townsell was ready to organize politically like-minded people and to keep marching until Trump is gone.

“We’re going to continue to march and continue to disturb the anniversary of his coming to office,” she said. “We are going to continue to do this every January until he is out of office. We have to do this.”

JoAnn Moffitt drove to Seattle from Marysville with four friends from her book club, all in their 50s and early 60s. They marveled at how many different people were represented, and how much they supported one another.

“It was very cross-generational,” Moffitt said. “It was not just one ethnic group or one segment of the population.”

For the whole group, the political outlook was brighter compared to a year ago.

“Last year, it was more emotional,” Moffitt said. “This year I felt more hopeful.”

Her friend, Debbie Whitfield, who did not participate last year, had a similar reaction: “I had more of a sense of hope from being part of the march, with a lot of really positive energy encouraging people to get out and vote.”

The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Washington led Seattle’s march in an effort to call attention to what it said is an epidemic of violence against indigenous women.

The Everett march began at the 10th Street boat landing, went to Legion Memorial Park, then headed south on Broadway.

Sather said some motorists honked, but others made lewd hand gestures.

“We just waved,” she said.

During the Everett rally, speakers represented a spectrum of political groups: 350 Everett, which focuses on climate change; the local branch of the Democratic Socialists of America; the Green Party; and Whole Washington, a group that supports healthcare coverage for all Americans as a basic right.

There was no organized counterprotest in Everett to express support for Trump or his policies.

A different scene played out on the same streets in August 2016. Thousands of Trump supporters, and many protesters, swarmed downtown when then-candidate Trump held a campaign rally in Everett as part of his longshot, but ultimately successful, presidential bid.

While the outcome of the election left Trump’s supporters cheering, his detractors seethed and soon hit the streets to protest — by the millions. More than 100,000 people joined the Women’s March on Seattle on Jan. 21 of last year, a day after Trump’s inauguration. It coincided with massive protests in Washington, D.C., and similar events throughout the world.

In the year since, the #metoo movement has focused attention on sexual harassment and assaults against women.

During Saturday’s protests, Trump took to Twitter to defend his record.

“Unprecedented success for our Country, in so many ways, since the Election,” he tweeted. “Record Stock Market, Strong on Military, Crime, Borders, & ISIS, Judicial Strength & Numbers, Lowest Unemployment for Women & ALL, Massive Tax Cuts, end of Individual Mandate — and so much more. Big 2018!”

The federal government remained closed, with congressional Republicans and Democrats deadlocked over spending and immigration.

Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465; nhaglund@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @NWhaglund.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Cassie Franklin, Mayor of Everett, delivers the annual state of the city address Thursday morning in the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center in Everett, Washington on March 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
At Everett mayor’s keynote speech: $35 entry, Boeing sponsorship

The city won’t make any money from the event, city spokesperson Simone Tarver said. Still, it’s part of a trend making open government advocates wary.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.