The League of Women Voters of Snohomish County was out in full force on Saturday, October 18 at the Snohomish County Plaza and Amphitheater. What a crowd! So many people, yet everything was peaceful with an undercurrent of, what to call it…maybe joy.
I know that sounds strange considering the unwavering constitution-dismantling changes we are experiencing in America. But there it was, bubbling right under the surface. You could feel it in the kids who wanted to take a picture with LWV member Kathy Gill’s blow-up purple unicorn. People smiled at hand-made signs poking fun at the serious issues we face. It was a way to move past fear and anxiety.
Anger was visible in the profusion of signs that featured strong expletives and frustration with the administration committed to sowing seeds of separation and mistrust.
There were signs that said “None of this is normal,” and two older women wrote signs that said “I am Aunt Tifa.” There were also serious signs like “I want my grandchildren to know I stood for Democracy.”
Early on, two young women made a beeline for our table with their phones out, saying “We want to register to vote now!” Within two minutes they were done and very pleased with themselves. They received a few “VOTE” stickers and were on their way. Then a young woman showed up and said, “I am having trouble getting my address changed.” We walked her through the process, and soon she was done and grateful. She left with more “VOTE” stickers and some candy.
And it went on like that in a steady stream. We were thanked often for the work that we do. In the background we could hear Governor Ferguson say unequivocally that he “would never bend the knee” to this administration. LWVWA president, and our own member Karen Crowley was a hit! But of course. (You can watch the video of Karen's speech
here, thanks to Carol McMahon for recording).
On Broadway, the people in cars and the people on the street engaged in shared communication that included laughter, cheers, horns and requests for “More Cowbell.”
All in all, the National “No Kings” rally that was called “The I Hate America Rally” by detractors, found a “Dedicated to Democracy” audience in Snohomish County, focused on truth and a united approach to peaceful resistance.