Local

What to know about councilwoman's call for ‘nationwide shutdown' on Inauguration Day

Socialist Seattle City councilwoman Kshama Sawant warns that the protests against President-elect Donald Trump is just beginning.

Sawant is encouraging demonstrators to shut down Trump’s inauguration in January. Here's what to know about Sawant's call for protests.

How did Sawant encourage the demonstrations?

In a packed post-election rally at Seattle City Hall on Wednesday afternoon, Socialist councilmember Kshama Sawant called for a massive protest on Wednesday night and a nationwide shutdown on Inauguration Day in response to president-elect Donald Trump.

>> Related: What does Trump's presidency mean for Washington state?

BREAKING: Seattle's socialist city councilwoman called for a massive protest today and a "nationwide shutdown" on Donald J. Trump's inauguration day. >> kiro.tv/SawantCalls What do you think of Councilmember Kshama Sawant's statement? A) I think this is good. B) This further divides the country C) This is a way for people to express themselves D) She just wants attention E) (Enter your own answer)

Posted by KIRO 7 News on Wednesday, November 9, 2016

"I appeal to you, [Wednesday] at 4 o'clock, at Westlake [Park], let's have a massive protest, and tell America we do not accept a racist agenda," Sawant said. "And let's make sure on Inauguration Day … let's do a nationwide shutdown."

What happened at the protest?

More than 2,200 people responded to the Facebook event Wednesday indicating they plan to attend the demonstration in "mass opposition to Trump and his agenda."

Read an real-time log of the protest here.

During the rally at Westlake Park, Sawant reiterated her message in telling demonstrators that "we are stronger than the billionaires" and "their capitalists system.”

The protest against President-elect Donald Trump at Westlake Center grew into a march with several hundred people across the streets of Seattle.

The protest departed from downtown Seattle and marched through Capitol Hill and ended in the University District.

The original protest was organized by the Socialist Alternative, and included concerned members of the LBGTQ community, immigrants and Muslims worried about the Trump presidency.

Is this Sawant’s first time calling for a large protest?

Sawant said protesting is exactly why her constituency elected her to do.

The councilwoman made headlines in 2014 for being among several people arrested at Alaska Airlines headquarters in SeaTac during a demonstration protesting the company's failure to pay workers $15 an hour. Watch video here.

Top stories on KIRO7.com

Cox Media Group

0

Most Read