VIDEO: Pre-inauguration demonstration in The Junction

10:26 AM: That’s a screenshot from a few minutes ago, showing demonstrators in The Junction crossing the Walk-All-Ways intersection at California/Alaska – the live video feed showed one group on the northwest corner and one on the northeast corner, just before the light changed. As noted in the advance announcement, this is meant to be an offshoot of the citywide march happening downtown today – which in turn is part of a nationwide series of protests, in advance of Monday’s change of presidents. We’re headed out for a ground-level view.

11:04 AM: About 100 people are participating now, spread across all four corners, chanting as they cross when the pedestrian light is on:

The chants vary – in addition to what’s in our video (which ends with passing drivers honking, after the demonstrators are back on the corners), we heard “Fight like a girl, change the world.”

11:30 AM: Some attrition in the past hour – down to about a dozen per corner.

We have to move on but since this was announced as potentially continuing until 2 pm, we’ll check back when in The Junction again in an hour or so.

12:43 PM: About a dozen sign-waving demonstrators remain.

84 Replies to "VIDEO: Pre-inauguration demonstration in The Junction"

  • Curtis January 18, 2025 (11:04 am)

    Encouraging to see the lack of enthusiasm now for these shenanigans.  The last four years were exhausting for Seattle and the world.  Time to get back to normalcy and common sense.

    • WSB January 18, 2025 (11:21 am)

      Your comment came in before we got here at ground level, where there’s plenty of enthusiasm and no “shenanigans” so far. We ducked in the corner coffee shop to publish the video, heading back out to the intersection for a few more photos.

    • CarDriver January 18, 2025 (11:52 am)

      Repeating the comment you made 4 years ago. Got your years and presidents mixed up.

    • Helpermonkey January 18, 2025 (12:15 pm)

      You think economic stability, the attempt to preserve our very democracy and a genuine care for the wellbeing of the American people to be a bad thing, and electing a convicted felon and rapist to the highest office in the land a good thing. I’m embarrassed for you, genuinely. What a perverted way to see the world. Congrats, you got what you wanted and now you can hate openly and proudly! 

      • Seattlite January 18, 2025 (3:05 pm)

        The USA is a Constitutional Republic with a Republic Democracy aka not a pure or direct democracy.    WE THE PEOPLE have spoken by way of our majority votes aka popular vote  and the Electoral College in electing the 47th President of the USA.   Civics classes are needed in ALL public schools.   Bogus charges and biased judges equal lawfare NOT Rule of Law.  Love of country and unity are foundational elements for a strong, productive, safe country.  These past four years will go down in history as a dark time for America and Americans due to divisiveness that is the antithesis of unity.  

        • We live in an Oligarchy January 18, 2025 (7:35 pm)

          @seattilite: We live in an Oligarchy where your perception of the economy, politics and life is driven by rage bait clicks. The people have very little say, especially when the majority do not vote. Go out and get some fresh air. Enjoy Seattle. It’s not worth arguing over. 

    • Scarlett January 18, 2025 (12:29 pm)

      The last four years have not been normal with the US supporting a genocide in Gaza, in contravention of the Leahy Act and all norms of human decency, and the wealthiest have been enriched to the tune of $1.5 trillion (with the upper-class hitching their portfolios along for the ride), and we should mention the fascist manhandling of peaceful protesters at universities.   Come to think of it, the last 4 years have been absolutely glorious (shh, don’t say it out loud)  for the GOP!

      • Joe January 19, 2025 (4:54 am)

        Thank you.   The last four have not been normal. American bombs American jets  American bombers American support financial  for  genocide .The Biden administration has been totally complicit.

    • Jill Loblaw January 18, 2025 (12:43 pm)

      So what you’re saying is that demonstrating peacefully for human rights is shenanigans but sending a mob of traitors to Washington who breached our capitol is okay? Free expression is okay for those who broke laws but not law abiding citizens who have a constitutional right to protest peacefully? Wow. That’s plain weird.

      • Sue L January 18, 2025 (4:28 pm)

        You nailed it, sister!

      • North Starr January 20, 2025 (10:16 am)

        I agree with you but came here to say I love your username. Are you related to Bob Loblaw? 

    • Sue L January 18, 2025 (4:32 pm)

    • Sue L January 18, 2025 (4:40 pm)

      Please! Protests are not “normalcy and common sense.” Protests are here to bring awareness of issues staring some people in the face, especially those who can’t figure out why we protest!

    • Lincoln Park Mom January 21, 2025 (11:28 am)

      Common sense?  Like when Trump says we will start respecting our Police Officers again and then promptly pardoning the Rioters who attacked them.  Yeah, common sense.  

  • Eileen Wurst January 18, 2025 (11:16 am)

    More from the March:

    • Sue L January 18, 2025 (4:29 pm)

      Thanks for your photos!Sue L

  • Nae January 18, 2025 (11:33 am)

    Much like James cordon cross walk Broadway show productions, the demonstrators did clear out of the crosswalk street area when the light changed for the cars to pass through.

  • Seattlite January 18, 2025 (11:51 am)

    I am out with my camera taking photos of the BEAUTIFUL Olympics, Puget Sound,  blue sky, white clouds, frosty leaves, and celebrating being a 76-year-old free woman in the best country in the world…USA.  Happiness is brimming over in all of the people I have encountered today especially the kids playing in the parks.

    • Sue L January 18, 2025 (4:25 pm)

      Please share some of your photos of the protest!

    • Orb January 18, 2025 (5:14 pm)

      I’ve lived in 12 different countries – the U.S. is definitely not the best…but it certainly sounds great to have your ignorance. Lucky lady.

    • FloridianSeattlite January 19, 2025 (11:01 pm)

      Hate to break this to you – but many of us enjoyed our day today the best we can because there is nothing left to be done. I was one of those moms enjoying the sunshine while my kid played happily in the park. My happiness is to spite Trump, DC, and our oligarchs, it is not because of them. There is no rejoicing. You are writing this false narrative in your head and it is frankly, disturbing. I left my home to escape the incredibly horrific policies. I don’t want those things to come here. I don’t want the government tearing down our parks for golf courses and pickleball courts the way DeSantis is doing in Florida. I don’t want to have to worry that the doctors may choose an unviable fetus over me in my next high-risk pregnancy because they don’t want to go to prison. I don’t want my son to lose his mother. We live in the most leftist state in the nation. We aren’t happy about this, we are simply persevering. If you want to be surrounded by people who are happy about this, the south will be happy to have you. 

      • North Starr January 20, 2025 (10:18 am)

        I love your sentiment. In spite of, not because. 💜 

  • Eddie January 18, 2025 (12:00 pm)

    Can someone tell me what do they hope for compared to what they hoped for the last four years? What are they protesting? 

    • Jim January 18, 2025 (2:33 pm)

      I don’t think anybody actually knows or has a valid answer

      • Sue L January 18, 2025 (4:27 pm)

        Of course, we have a valid answer!

    • Lauren January 18, 2025 (3:28 pm)

      We’re protesting the upcoming inauguration of a convicted felon who staged an attempted coup four years ago.We’re protesting the rise of fasicism in our country and globally. 

      • Sixbuck January 18, 2025 (6:45 pm)

        You do realize that the ‘convicted felon’ trope is a major part of what led to Trump’s election victory. Keep it up! Maybe we can save the state of Washington next. 

        • k January 18, 2025 (8:40 pm)

          It’s not a trope.  He’s literally a convicted felon.  

    • Derp January 18, 2025 (5:10 pm)

      If you have to ask, you are part of the problem and encouraging the acts of Jan 6th and a convicted felon, and his new billion dollar donors to be his cabinet to run/ruin this country. Think of woman’s rights, abortion, do i need to keep going. 

    • MJ January 18, 2025 (5:53 pm)

      Yes we’d like to have reproductive freedom, have a leader who is not a convicted felon and guilty of sexual assault, to be free of oligarchy, to not be embarrassed by talk of such things as making Canada a state,  and so much more.  

    • FloridianSeattlite January 19, 2025 (11:05 pm)

      Look, it’s fine if you disagree, but if you don’t know why people are upset, you’re living under a rock. It doesn’t make you look superior, it makes you look stupid. All you need to do is look at the political theatre surrounding TikTok over the past 24 hours to see what the problem is. All you have to do is read project 2025 in its entirety to see what the problem is. I hope things improve for everyone the way you assuredly think they will. That would be great. I doubt that will be the case. 

  • Lucy January 18, 2025 (12:01 pm)

    I wonder what would happen if I were to show up in my MAGA hat and Trump/Vance sweatshirt.  Now, who are the fascists?

    • Eddie January 18, 2025 (1:08 pm)

      They would send in the Antifa brown shirts to peacefully protest 

    • Bill January 18, 2025 (1:10 pm)

      Clearly, you. And all the rest of the Mad Hatters. Or Mad Haters. Evil is ascendant in our world. But you won’t last. You have neither the patriotism nor the American grit to endure a world transmogrified by Soviet style Oligarchs. Book your Mars passage soon but we won’t be sending any potatoes with you. Lol. . 

    • Lin January 18, 2025 (1:10 pm)

      It’s still you. 

    • Eddie January 18, 2025 (1:12 pm)

      They would welcome your different point of view with open arms….

    • BreadCats January 18, 2025 (1:28 pm)

      Coming in to a demonstration with the intent to clash ideologically AND then having a victim mindset is kinda sad, ain’t it? Do you need a friend who can challenge your opinions in a civil conversation? 

    • Bbron January 18, 2025 (3:40 pm)

      “hey everyone, look at how scared I can make myself all from my own imagination!”

    • Oerthehillz January 18, 2025 (9:26 pm)

      Exactly! 

    • SoLongDelridge January 19, 2025 (12:44 am)

      Try it Lucy.

    • Derek January 19, 2025 (1:40 pm)

      MAGA is pro deporting and pro putting homeless in a labor camp. So I would be careful honestly because advertising racism isn’t cool. 

    • FloridianSeattlite January 19, 2025 (11:07 pm)

      Tell me you don’t know what facism means without telling me. 

  • Paul January 18, 2025 (12:23 pm)

    We are great at spotting wildlife in W.S. Do the same if ICE shows up. Help protect our Brothers and Sisters. 

    • Eddie January 18, 2025 (1:06 pm)

      “ no one is above the law” remember the DNC mantra?

      • Helpermonkey January 18, 2025 (1:26 pm)

        No one is above the law, aside from the 34 count convicted felon and adjudicated rapist in chief. The lack of self awareness is astounding. 

        • Tired of hypocrisy January 19, 2025 (9:16 am)

          How about the Biden crime family? 11 year backdated pardon? 🤔

      • Paul January 18, 2025 (1:51 pm)

        I’ve lived in West Seattle 60 years. I’m also Queer. WS was not a tolerant community, it’s becoming so now. Sometimes you have to stand on the right side of history.

      • Bill January 19, 2025 (12:14 am)

        This is Amurrika – if trump is above the law we can all be above the law. Anarchy reigns supreme in the new Soviet style American Oligarchy. MAGAts are anarchists and not necessarily fascists. Money makes Right; money makes Law – except MAGAts haven’t figured out they won’t ever have money under Lord God trump and Popemusk. . 

      • Derek January 19, 2025 (1:40 pm)

        Does that mean the same when it’s felons making the law?

  • Rhonda January 18, 2025 (12:59 pm)

    Leaving for DC this afternoon with plenty of cold weather garb. We’ll miss the Inauguration due to the venue change but we’ll be in Capitol One arena for the Sunday rally and Monday parade. The past 4 years have been extremely tough for the majority of Americans. It’s refreshing to see so much optimism about our future from even former Trump-hating like Bill Maher, Mark Zuckerberg, Jillian Michaels, etc.

  • Susan Staples January 18, 2025 (1:02 pm)

    I’m at the West Seattle march! Lots of enthusiasm! Sad that we have to be here again!

    • ClemsonGrad January 18, 2025 (2:32 pm)

      And what exactly is sad about it? That someone won an election?! With the popular vote no less! Perhaps a better campaign needs to be run by the other side next time

      • FloridianSeattlite January 19, 2025 (11:09 pm)

        Are you really going to say that with a straight face after Jan 6th 2021? Be so for real. 

  • Joan January 18, 2025 (3:10 pm)

    Thank you for doing this. I did four marches back in 2017. We need to keep speaking up and showing our support for the Constitution and what should be the normal functions of our three b ranches of government, not a circus and mockery, and absence of ethics, truth and morals.

  • Alf January 18, 2025 (4:25 pm)

    Unfortunately I doubt any marching in west Seattle will make a difference it does make people feel better in the moment It’s going to be a long 4 years, the only way this is going to change is when the MAGA sheep realize that trump sold them a lie and their lives are worse, but then again somehow they will be convinced it’s the democrats fault 

  • Purple Pilot January 18, 2025 (4:40 pm)

    Joan would you have been out protesting if the current administration would have been re-elected?  Because I’m pretty sure the current administration promoted an abnormal function of the three branches of government and operated with the absence of ethics, truth and morals.  I’m no Trump fan, but the irony of the objective of the protests and the comments in this forum is quite remarkable. 

    • Bill January 19, 2025 (12:21 am)

      Can you respectfully please publish your sources for your allegations on the unethical and immoral nature of the Biden administration? This is the WSB not Facebook. Let’s keep discourse away from the edge of Flat Earth. Thanks very much.  

    • Joe January 20, 2025 (3:03 am)

      Did not vote for Trump but the last four years under Biden was not normal, from proxy wars in Ukraine to Gaza genocide, Yemen. no primaries to select a leader of the democrats, high inflation high food prices to name a few.

  • Yellow Kitty January 18, 2025 (5:29 pm)

    What exactly are they protesting. I thought everyone likes Trump now?

  • MAGA Girl January 18, 2025 (7:12 pm)

    Regardless, it’s nice to see free people exercising their First Amendment rights. 

  • Big 5 Guy January 18, 2025 (7:34 pm)

    Meanwhile, in DC…

    • Lu January 18, 2025 (11:35 pm)

      This guy gets it. 

  • sbre January 18, 2025 (7:38 pm)

    I’m grateful that today’s gathering of people did not include:  a vehicle being used as a battering ram, any weapons, hateful people, vandalism, or physical assults.Great job people employing your right to aeembly and free speech everyone!We may not agree with everything that was written on a sign or chanted in the street, but we gotta agree that having the freedom to do so is SO MUCH BETTER than many other countries in the world! 🇺🇸 

    • Scarlett January 18, 2025 (9:32 pm)

      Posse Comitatus is not going to stop any administration from unleashing federal troops on the populace if they desire to do so.   Though not technically a violation of Posse Comitatus, we got a taste of what police state brutality looks like when students peaefully protesting the Gaza war got manhandled by police – and did nothing as right wing thugs jumped in.  That we are “free” is a fable for the profoundly naive or profoundly ignorant. 

  • Bradley January 18, 2025 (8:56 pm)

    Washington is not the center of the universe.  Take a fast minute and look across the rest of the nation. People are hurting and wanted a chance they haven’t had. Not everyone has your point of view ( I know, shocking, huh?).   Maybe let go of your pearls for a few minutes.  It’s hard to fathom the democratic middle class hasn’t enjoyed the  same profits. 

  • alkiannie January 18, 2025 (9:07 pm)

    Beautiful signs and protest! We must keep the light going against the looming darkness of greed, corruption, misogyny, and racism.  Our Trump supporting brothers and sisters are so lost; they will be trampled under the feet of these fools they support but will continue to point fingers at the weak as the source of their misfortune. There is a better way. Thank you for representing that today.

  • Julz206 January 18, 2025 (10:59 pm)

    We made history even of the stolen rump votes knocked an educated woman out
    We The PEOPLE WILL NEVER SUBMIT TO A FELON …WE WILL RESIST

  • Julz206 January 18, 2025 (11:07 pm)

    We the people will always resist

  • Julz206 January 18, 2025 (11:07 pm)

    We the people wiLl never stop fighting the tyrranny

  • WS Guy January 19, 2025 (1:23 am)

    Meanwhile upstairs in my Junction apartment, my friends and I had a debate.  Is Trump a GREAT president, or is he our GREATEST president?  I made the case that while he is above Lincoln (who unlike Trump did not survive HIS assassination attempt) he is not above Washington.  One of my friends disagreed; she said that Washington had the support of his nation when he accomplished his great deeds, while Trump has had to fight every step of the way.  What do YOU think?

  • Brian January 19, 2025 (10:01 am)

    Well I voted for Air Bud this time around so I’m definitely NOT getting what I wanted out of this. 

  • Johnny Stulic January 19, 2025 (11:04 am)

    To all of you who voted for TFG so he can “reduce the price of eggs” (LOL): you do realize that Idiocracy was not an instruction video, don’t you?

  • Derek January 19, 2025 (1:41 pm)

    I voted for Jill Stein. I don’t care I could not bring myself to vote for Kamala and her support of genocide. But I still support these protests.

    • Joe January 20, 2025 (2:36 am)

      Thank you, Derek long time union member, working class Brit it would have been the same four years again.

    • helpermonkey January 20, 2025 (8:38 am)

      you voted for Jill Stein? You mean you voted for Trump. That’s all a vote for Stein was. Hope you’re happy with the results of your non-vote, Derek. You and everyone like you who threw away their vote on a true russian asset are responsible for everything we’re going to suffer for the next who knows how many years.  

      • Derek January 20, 2025 (9:09 am)

        I knew someone would try this kind of tired reply. Maybe if Kamala didn’t support funding Israel with endless weapons and focused on domestic homelessness and healthcare and other economic issues instead, I’d vote for her. No she catered to George Bush and republicans and she deserves her loss. Neoliberals wonder why they lost…see no further than this kind of smug sentiment by “helpermonkey”

      • Bradley January 20, 2025 (2:40 pm)

        A vote for Stein in Washington did not tip the election for Trump.  Don’t make things up and it doesn’t matter for the “popular” vote. Maybe in swing states, but little effect in Washington. So sorry for your loss. 

      • Mike January 21, 2025 (5:04 am)

        Derek, I think Stein is a crazy lady, but you had every right to vote for her. That’s what makes the USA an amazing place, we can vote for whoever we want.  Ignore the mob.

    • Ivan Weiss January 20, 2025 (10:49 am)

      A vote for Jill Stein was a vote for Trump.

  • Scarlett January 20, 2025 (8:39 am)

    The most grotesque irony of all?  The president  wants to bring back so-called “masculinity” and what do I see from MAGA ? Groveling, disgusting  submission.  I won’t be any more graphic than that, because this is family friendly blog.   

  • AK January 20, 2025 (11:15 am)

    I’m happy that I live in West Seattle, which is approximately 95% democrat, liberal or independent. Sad that there are still a percentage who adore a rapist, sexual abuser, liar & fraudster! 

    • Darren January 20, 2025 (2:25 pm)

      You could make the same argument about Biden.

      • BWD January 20, 2025 (6:03 pm)

        Actually, you can’t. 

  • Bbron January 20, 2025 (6:07 pm)

    don’t think Biden has been convicted of rape or sexual assault, so big swing and a miss by Darren

Sorry, comment time is over.