By Phuong Le
Associated Press
SEATTLE — Nancy Davenport marched on Washington 28 years ago to stand up for women’s equality. The 72-year-old was back at it Saturday, this time joining thousands in the others who crammed the streets of Seattle to send a message to President Donald Trump about women’s rights and other causes.
“We thought we were done and we’re not,” said the Port Angeles woman, who carried a sign that read in part: “Don’t make us come back in 28 years to do it again.” ”You have to keep fighting for what you believe in.”
Across the Pacific Northwest, women’s marches and rallies in cities from Seattle to Spokane, as well as Portland, Oregon, and Boise, Idaho, drew tens of thousands of people.
Demonstrators wore pink “pussyhats” and waved signs proclaiming: “You belong,” ”Love Trumps hate,” or “My uterus will fight you.”
Seattle police and city officials did not provide a crowd estimate, but march organizers said in late afternoon that more than 150,000 people showed up. At one point, demonstrators had packed the entire 3.6 mile route.
Some said they were protesting Trump and his policies, while others wanted to promote unity or to fight racism, sexism and hate.
“What I’m seeing here is overwhelming, the solidarity and love,” said Amanda Guzman, who pushed her 18-month-old son in a stroller. “All across the world, we’re marching him, against his hate.”
She said it’s so easy to listen to Trump and see only bad, but the thousands who turned out for the march gave her hope. “It’s all reassuring that there’s still good, and we will fight this.”
Fathia Absie, a Muslim American writer and filmmaker from Seattle, said she marched to support women’s rights as well as all other rights.
“We have to come together. What makes this country beautiful and unique, unlike anywhere else in the world, is that we’re so diverse,” she said. “Our differences make us beautiful.”
Brittany Vieira, 31, lives in Gresham, Oregon, took her 8-month-old son to the march in downtown Portland. It’s an opportunity to unite and connect with others, she said.
“This whole election has completely turned my world upside down,” she said. “I feel like it’s important to use our voices against people who are trying to silence us.”
The Portland Fire Bureau said the crowds in Portland numbered more than 70,000, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.
Leigh Douglass, 45, left the march in downtown Boise feeling inspired and that “this is just the beginning.” The mood was welcoming and celebratory, and she said she cried as she listened to stories from powerful speakers.
Douglass said she won’t remain silent and plans to speak up when she feels things aren’t right.
“I’m marching to be seen and heard,” she said.
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