PHOTOS: ‘Families Belong Together’ march in West Seattle

| High Point | West Seattle news

12:09 PM: That’s just part of the line of demonstrators who marched around High Point Commons Park and then up to and north along 35th. No roads blocked – all on sidewalks. They were planning to turn back to the park after reaching the library. It’s one of many similar rallies/marches around the US today. Photos and video when we are back at HQ.

1:09 PM: A few more photos:

2:31 PM: Panorama from the middle of the march while it was still winding around the park:

A post shared by West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) on Jun 30, 2018 at 11:39am PDT

Tamsen Spengler sent this photo:

She explained, “The most remarkable thing about today was that the organizers never showed up. This lady just led it on her own with input from us as to where to March. We stayed on public sidewalks. Wish I had gotten this lady’s name!” The original announcement was published via the moveon.org website, which listed hundreds of marches/rallies around the country; the nearest to West Seattle was held outside the federal detention center in SeaTac.

Bob June 30, 2018 (12:21 pm)

I was very impressed on how well organized it was. Plus, the best part, was how friendly everyone was. Thank you.

Me June 30, 2018 (12:39 pm)

Awsome

AJ June 30, 2018 (1:19 pm)

Love this!

Kathy June 30, 2018 (1:52 pm)

It was a very meaningful rally. Many people spoke from the heart, including little kids. Another reason why I love being a member of this community!

S. Gutierrez June 30, 2018 (4:48 pm)

After reading this article, I felt so much better seeing that so many people care! All the hate is disheartening. Thank you all for putting hope back in my heart!

Aimee June 30, 2018 (4:52 pm)

This makes me so proud to be part of this community. It fills me with happiness knowing we still have people in this country that care and have empathy for the less fortunate and are unwilling to let injustice go by without consequences. Thank you everyone that joined this march.

Lee June 30, 2018 (5:29 pm)

So many people chose to use this day to stand up for what is right. It makes me happy and gives me hope.

ScubaFrog June 30, 2018 (6:13 pm)

I think it’s fantastic that most of our community believes that trump should be impeached and put in prison for his child concentration camps. We said “Never Again!” after the detention camps of WWII. It only took 1 massively obese, orange republican to take us back decades in many regards.

Jethro Marx June 30, 2018 (7:08 pm)

It took almost half of those who voted in this country choosing President Trump to get us here. Neither is culture a vacuum, and the rest of the country played a part in bringing this about. Stand up for what you believe in; do not imagine that those who disagree with you are sub-human, however, or we are merely chasing our collective cultural tail in a dizzying race to the bottom.
- heartless June 30, 2018 (8:23 pm)
  
  Jethro, my man, this is good to remember but also remember–and remind others, at least occasionally, that only 1/4 of eligible voters — ONLY ONE OUT OF FOUR, voted for that malicious idiot.
  
  And remember, of course, that not all voices deserve an equal audience. This last bit being a harsh but crucial point in these times.
  - Felix Grounds July 1, 2018 (8:06 am)
    
    EXACTLY…A “disagreement” is Coke vs Pepsi…This is not a disagreement, this is a FIGHT to save our republic from autocratic authoritarianism, this is a FIGHT against racist nationalism and xenophobia.This is a FIGHT.

Kayla M. Weiner June 30, 2018 (8:06 pm)

Please understand that this was NOT organized. THIS HAPPENED!!!!When I arrived at Lincoln Park, where the demonstration was planned, I learned it had been moved. Everyone standing around scrambled to get to the new location and found the organizer did NOT appear. One woman took charge, had local people, not famous people or professional organizers, speak their truths. She then helped to lead the peaceful march around the park and down 35th. No permits. No mics. Just people acting their beliefs. his is what decency and dignity look like.

heartless June 30, 2018 (8:26 pm)

This gathering warms my gnarled heart and gives me solace. Thank you.

B.W. June 30, 2018 (8:35 pm)

So the organizer did not show…Hmm. Sounds like it was not planned very well. Good job to the people who showed up and walked around a bit. Hopefully that shows Washington D.C. a thing or two.

WSB June 30, 2018 (9:58 pm)

They walked more than a bit – to the library and back to Commons Park is more than a mile. As for D.C., they had thousands show up in a heat wave:
https://wtop.com/dc/2018/06/thousands-expected-at-families-belong-together-march-and-rally-in-dc/slide/1/

TJ June 30, 2018 (8:53 pm)

While reuniting children and parents seems like it was the main theme (which was a terrible move by Trump), there was so much expressed that the march lacked a true focus. Many signs seemed to call for no detention at all, hence a open border, which is not realistic nor will help dialogue on this whole topic

Rita Swanson June 30, 2018 (10:39 pm)

Today meant a lot to me. I have been so concerned about the children and their parents. I can’t imagine needing to leave with my children to save their lives, to be able to feed them, to protect them from gang abuse. Then to end up in a country that is so heartless to take my children away, lock them up and lock me up somewhere so far away and have no way to contact my children. I really felt a connection with each person at the march. The people who spoke, told their stories and spoke from their hearts. I want to thank everyone for being there and letting me lead the group. Please let your voice be heard until every child is back with their parent or parents. Be loud when you need to be, be vigilant when you need to be, be a collective voice when needed and let your singular voice be powerful. Thank you for letting me lead all of you to show West Seattle we care, all of Seattle to know we care, Washington state know we care, the nation know we care and more than anything the families that are going through this trauma know we care and we will do all we can to change this and make it right.

Calires July 1, 2018 (6:36 pm)

Looks like this lady has a long history of being a hero to children, both her own and others. Well done, Rita.http://www.seattleschild.com/Unsung-Hero-Rita-Swanson/

Tamsen Spengler July 1, 2018 (8:09 pm)

Calires, thank you for the link ! So great to know who that wonderful lady is! And Rita if you see this thank you for a great day!! We al appreciated your leadership.

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