Pictures by Patty Tang
Practically 4 thousand folks gathered within the frigid chill of a Seattle morning for the 2025 Martin Luther King Jr. March and Rally. They got here, as they’ve for the final 42 years, to recollect, to demand, to insist upon their proper to hope. However this 12 months, the march struck a searing juxtaposition with occasions unfolding 2,700 miles away within the nation’s capital.
In Washington D.C, Donald Trump stood earlier than the world as soon as extra, mouth stuffed with lies, a demagogue returned to energy by a nation nonetheless unable—or unwilling—to reckon with itself. Inside hours, the acquainted equipment of cravenness was again in movement: Insurrectionists welcomed residence as heroes, rolling again transgender rights, and rescinding Range Fairness, and Inclusion measures on the federal stage. All this on the identical day meant to honor a person who gave his life for the imaginative and prescient that we would, someday, be higher than this.

Right here in Seattle, on a balmy January day, folks got here—Black, brown, white, queer, trans, immigrant, and native—to bear empathetic witness to one another, to search out, if not hope, then at the least endurance. Some marched as a result of they might not settle for {that a} man folks roundly rejected 4 years in the past may return to energy. Others got here as a result of, whereas there could also be a ceasefire in Gaza, we’re nonetheless complicit within the ruins that stay. Others got here for a fleeting inoculation from what is bound to be 4 years of horror directed at our trans and immigrant communities. And others got here to discover a group, recognizing that alone, rage will exhaust us too quickly. Bearing this marathon of insanity would require a gentleness many have forgotten, a humility few embrace, an acknowledgment of one another’s ache, and a grappling with contradictions inextricably linked to the human situation.

That is America, in all its contradictions: one crowd marching for justice, and one other cheering its undoing. But, each are authentically this nation. Each testify to a deep reality: We’re a rustic captive to profound and unrelenting trauma. Whether or not we are going to heal or die from it won’t be determined by one election or one man however by our willingness to face collectively, with and for one another, in a method that refuses to just accept the struggling of any group as the price of survival.
It isn’t hatred alone that can destroy us, however the quiet, creeping acceptance of it as regular.
Listed here are some voices from the MLK Day March chatting with that reality.
Some statements have been calmly edited for readability.

Chris Lovings, organizer with Seattle Alliance In opposition to Racist and Political Repression
Throughout this time, we want one another. So the truth that there are hundreds marching for a typical trigger, to face in opposition to what’s taking place is actually priceless. But additionally shifting ahead, we will should collaborate collectively as a group. Another excuse I am right here is I am part of a company that is targeted on group management of the police. One thing now we have to do with a federal administration that’s going to be preventing in opposition to so many rights, at a time when so many individuals need assistance.
What offers me hope is all of the folks which are right here immediately, and all of the group organizing that is occurring. Advocating collectively is the one method that we’re going to get the world that needs to be, fairly than the world that now we have proper now.

Cliff Cawthon, group organizer
I am out right here immediately as a result of I’m deeply annoyed, indignant, and ashamed due to the place we’re at as a rustic, proper now. I’m feeling the must be in solidarity and at the least do one thing, fairly than simply sit there and be livid. There are a variety of weak folks in danger: Black and brown folks, homosexual and trans folks, and ladies round this nation. We have to take motion. That Trump is being inaugurated immediately is a slap within the face to all the pieces King stood for.
Trump is the epitome of white privilege. He’s somebody who has denigrated everybody who has not traditionally been privileged on this nation and even denigrated his personal voters to their face. And but, on the similar time, there are folks on this nation who couldn’t stand to vote for a black lady who had a plan. I noticed her flaws, consider me, however Trump’s presidency actually is a slap within the face to all of the individuals who have fought for me and for my spouse, and for my buddies to have the ability to stand right here, educated, free, with an actual probability in life.

Monica Mendoza-Castrejon, group organizer
What’s taking place immediately with the inauguration is an absolute shame however I carry forth Dr. King’s imaginative and prescient, and I am right here as a result of I need to carry on preventing for and dreaming of that imaginative and prescient, and for all the pieces that he stood for, and everybody that he was preventing with. I am right here as a result of I do not need that dream to finish.
The Govt Orders Trump’s planning are scary. However I’m not simply fearful for myself. I am a queer Chicana who was born to previously undocumented Mexican farm employee mother and father, and I am fearful about my household. Nonetheless, I nonetheless have religion that we will triumph, although we’re afraid. I do not assume he is sensible sufficient, and I do not assume the those who he is round are sensible sufficient to hold ahead all the pieces he desires to do. However we’re sensible sufficient, we’re robust sufficient and we’re courageous sufficient to hold ahead what we need to do.
Even when the federal government would not have us, now we have us. We the folks have one another. I’ve seen an increase in mutual support. I’ve seen an increase in collective motion that’s going to hold us ahead. It’s not going to be electing some completely different head of state, or movie star icon. No, I see blossoming collective motion, and I do know that is going to maintain us protected, no matter this authorities does or doesn’t do.

Deuante Damper, LGBTQIA+ advocate
Truthfully, immediately I actually wasn’t fascinated about the nation. I used to be fascinated about Seattle as a complete group. So the query to all of us right here is, what are we going to do with that legacy? Are we going to maintain it going? Are we going to maintain on organizing? Are we going to prioritize? Are we going to be inclusive? And above all else, are we going to like each other? I do not need to be laser-focused on what’s taking place within the [Trump] administration, as a result of no matter whoever was going to be in workplace, we nonetheless must combat. We nonetheless must have a look at insurance policies and work out how they had been impacting probably the most marginalized.
I grew up by no means feeling protected. It is all the time been a combat for me as a Black, homosexual man. On the finish of the day, racism has all the time been blatant and in our face. Now it is in workplace. Misogyny has all the time been in our face. Now it is in workplace. So the query is what are we doing proper right here to proceed to prioritize Black girls, and queer group members — particularly trans group members, who’ve actually been beneath assault.
Who’s supporting this bullshit? There’s a variety of group members which were supporting that, and I imply regionally, so it is time to begin holding their fucking ft to the fireplace too.

Dionne Foster, group member
Like many individuals immediately, I’m additionally in misery. For me, being in group is therapeutic. I had this second this morning the place I used to be my telephone and it says, Trump is pulling us out of the Paris local weather accords.
I believed, nicely, I can keep right here and have a look at this and be feeling these feelings on my own, or I can come out and be with this group right here. That felt just like the antidote. Simply being alone is not what I would like at this second. And even being right here for the final little bit, operating into folks and seeing their brilliance, seeing all of the connections. It was recharging.
Right now is an indicator of Seattle. I’ve seen so many individuals from completely different backgrounds, and even seeing folks immediately with indicators that mentioned, “Right now we rise in opposition to Mission 2025.” To me, it is saying that our group right here is coming collectively to face in opposition to the potential harms that we will face from the federal authorities and that cities and communities are extra vital now than ever.
It should be a really lengthy street. Truthfully. I believe many of us are rightfully deeply involved in regards to the second Trump administration, and deeply involved in regards to the potential impacts of it being long-lasting. Meaning our dedication to one another, our dedication to coverage change, and our dedication to doing what we will on the state or native stage additionally must be stronger and long-lasting.

Patty Fong, CID resident
My mom was an immigrant from Hong Kong. I am upset with the concept of mass deportations. I do not consider the Trump administration after they say they’ll arrest solely people who find themselves right here as a result of they’ve dedicated a criminal offense. I believe a variety of harmless folks will get caught up within the internet.
I do not like Tom Homan, Trump’s immigration czar. I believe he is a really merciless man. He isn’t in opposition to deporting total households, and now Trump desires to disclaim birthright citizenship to kids who’re born to oldsters who haven’t got authorized immigration standing. So, I actually decry the merciless route that this nation is taking.
Regionally, I stay within the CID. It is an economically oppressed neighborhood that’s politically powerless. We’re rising as much as say, do not deal with us as a dumping floor anymore. Cease being racist. Sometime, I envision a gateway down Jackson Road, connecting the Central District, Chinatown, and Pioneer Sq., proper right down to the waterfront. I might prefer to see all of us united as a metropolis, so we will rejoice the multicultural and multiethnic variety of Seattle. That is what I am preventing for. However I’m only one particular person.

Ann Okwuwolu, group organizer It Takes a Village
I’m right here to speak to folks—regardless of their pores and skin coloration, group, or age—as a result of I need to understand how ready we’re for emergencies. At some point, one thing may occur, and I need to be certain we’re prepared. I’ve a company referred to as ‘It Takes a Village: AMSA Version,’ and my purpose is to ultimately safe funding to construct a hub. This hub can have all the pieces folks want when catastrophe strikes—it doesn’t matter what form of emergency it’s.
However I don’t need it to be only for emergencies. I need the hub to be an on a regular basis useful resource, one thing so ingrained in our lives that when one thing occurs, folks will know precisely the place to go. They will say, ‘Let me get to the hub!’ It’ll have meals, showers, sleeping areas, and sources for youth, children, and older adults. Will probably be accessible to everybody, with charging stations and extra.
That’s why I’m out right here speaking to folks—asking, ‘What do you want in an emergency?’ When catastrophe hits, we’re all in our particular person houses at first, however then we come collectively. Some have children, some have pets, others have allergy symptoms or particular wants. We regularly get so targeted on our personal every day lives that when an emergency occurs, we notice all of the issues we didn’t take into consideration.
My purpose is to assist us put together for these ‘what if’ moments—so we don’t face pointless challenges after they come. How prepared can we be? That’s what I need to discover out.

Pleasure Pearl, 16, Mercer Island BSU president, immigrated from Uganda
I used to be right here immediately as a result of I wanted to be reminded about what Martin Luther King fought for, particularly as a result of immediately is when Trump is getting inaugurated. And I felt like that was flawed in a roundabout way, that it was immediately. I wished to be right here to be reminded of our values, of what the folks earlier than us vote for.
Seeing everybody right here immediately offers me hope, particularly figuring out that individuals are nonetheless supporting the Free Palestine motion even after the ceasefire. It reassures me that our technology has hope for the long run.
Paul Benz, Road Minister Operation Nightwatch
In moments like this, we should rigorously look at historical past—the way it rhymes and repeats. Proper now, with statements coming from Trump and people behind Mission 2025, together with pastors and members of the New Apostolic Reformation, we have to look to our personal historical past and name out the modern-day Reich for what it’s. That’s precisely what we’re going through.
To those that declare Trump is the Messiah or that he’s been referred to as by God, I problem them with an important biblical precept: Trump has by no means repented for his actions. Not as soon as. The truth is, many pastors have opposed him—and proceed to take action. I’m certainly one of them. Jesus mentioned, “No matter you do unto the least of those, you do to me.” If I declare to like my neighbors—particularly those that are poor and struggling—but do nothing to assist them whereas supporting a person like Trump, then I’m a liar.
This dialog connects on to Matthew 25, the place Christ speaks about figuring out with “the least” amongst us—asking, “After I was in jail, did you go to me? After I was hungry, did you feed me? After I was bare, did you dress me?” Our accountability is to not pity or indulge a savior advanced however to ask: What’s inflicting their oppression? Who’s benefiting from it? We should converse out, take motion to enhance their lives, change unjust legal guidelines, and bodily stand with them in opposition to hurt.
Liz Shriver, ninth straight 12 months attending
My spouse and I got here out immediately. We have come nearly yearly since we moved right here 9 years in the past from Philadelphia.
We undoubtedly wished to be out immediately due to the weird intersection of Inauguration Day. However I believe it simply means now we have to point out up much more. What an incredible alternative to point out up in our personal communities and fully disregard the nasty human who has discovered his method into that job that he can have for a restricted time, yeah, earlier than he goes to jail.
Right now is mostly a feeling of longevity like now we have to maintain exhibiting up 12 months after 12 months after 12 months after 12 months. It is not one thing we may do as soon as after which set it down. So I believe it offers that feeling, not solely of hope and pleasure for the long run, however of a sustained combat.
Andra Kranzler, facilitator for discussions on the African American Reparations Committee
This house offers us a possibility to have significant conversations with each other. We come collectively as a group—intersectional and intergenerational—the place we will share our ideas, issues, and concepts for options. I consider that if we had already finished the work of therapeutic, we wouldn’t be experiencing a so-called “peaceable transition of energy” of what’s, in actuality, a coup.
However in shifting ahead, I consider step one is to really hear to 1 one other. Proper now, now we have the sources to deal with a lot of the ache and struggling round us. It’s not only a ethical challenge; it is also a important and sensible one. Individuals have to learn, analyze what they’re studying, and search the reality. Our leaders should be dedicated to reality and information, however finally, it comes right down to us—how we select to spend our time and the place we select to point out up.
I am extremely grateful for this house as a result of I’ve seen so lots of my group members present up. It jogs my memory that I’m not alone in imagining a extra simply world.
I have been informed that as a Black particular person, I can’t afford to be hopeless—I’ve to be hopeful.
