Now 16 things to do in Seattle instead of watching Trump’s Inauguration

Thousands of Seattle students walked out to protest the election of Donald Trump in November. (Photo by Sharon H. Chang)

Update Jan. 17: We have added three more events to the end of this list, and information on a protest of the Milo Yiannopoulos event.

A reality TV star-turned-politician takes office on Jan. 20, but you don’t have to watch. Many people in the Seattle area have organized alternatives to watching the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.

Inauguration Day events in Seattle include protesting Trump in the streets, talks on social justice and fundraising for causes that are at risk in the new administration.

It’s not surprising that there are inauguration alternatives locally. In Seattle, Trump won 8 percent of the vote. In contrast, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton won Seattle with 87 percent of the vote.

Alternatives to watching Donald Trump’s inauguration

Planned Parenthood will host a panel at Seattle’s Town Hall, discussing the impact the new administration may have on their work in the Northwest. Tickets are no longer available but a standby line will be open if seats become available. The event will begin at 7 p.m.

Seattle will provide free legal help for immigrants at McCaw Hall starting at noon. Walk-ins are welcome and services include a know-your-rights session and citizen application help. Free parking is available. Go to Seattle’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs website for more information.

Inspired by Yoko Ono and John Lennon, KEXP will host a “Bed-in for Peace. Beginning at 8 a.m. KEXP will have live music from local artists, followed by a sing-along of “Give Peace a Chance” at 9 a.m. Representatives from ACLU, Planned Parenthood and Gender Justice League will be available with information about their organizations.

The Rainier Beach Flashmob for Love and Diversity will take place at 4 p.m. at the Rainier Beach Community Center. Onlookers and participants are welcome. Participants are encouraged to wear brightly colored attire.

The Office of Arts & Culture is hosting “Voices of A People’s History of the United States at City Hall. The live performance highlights the history of social justice visionaries from the past and present in order to inspire visionaries for the future. The event is free, but attendees are encouraged to register.

Race for our Rights,” a 5k run to benefit Planned Parenthood, will begin at 6 p.m. at Magnuson Park. Registration is $20 and available online. All proceeds will go to Planned Parenthood.

Protesters plan to demonstrate against the inauguration by taking to the streets at Westlake Park. The #ResistTrump and #OccupyInauguration movement will begin at 5 p.m.

UW Academic Workers for a Democratic University have organized a walk-out at the University of Washington at 8 a.m. on Jan. 20, as many are doing at colleges and universities nationwide.

While not exactly an anti-Trump event, later on Inauguration Day, the College Republicans of UW will be presenting a sold-out event, Make UW Fabulous Again,” featuring conservative speaker Milo Yiannopoulos, an editor for the far-right website Breitbart. Yiannopoulos made his name by mocking and insulting feminist and progressive movements and was banned from Twitter after leading a racist harassment campaign against actress Leslie Jones. The University of Washington event received backlash, including petition asking President Ana Mari Cauce to ban Yiannopoulos. A counter protest to Yiannopoulus’ appearance at UW has been organized. Students will be congregating outside of Kane Hall, room 130, beginning at 7 p.m.

If you have time and want to take the fight to the state capitol, an all-day anti-Trump protest will take place at the Legislative Building in Olympia. Protesters plan to occupy the state capitol and said on the Facebook event page for people to bring tents and prepare for a “long term occupation.”

Bars around Seattle have organized events for the Inauguration as well if you want to disappear in a drink — while giving money to various causes.

The Red Door will host “Beer Trumps Hate: Inauguration Day” where community members can enjoy a pint of beer beginning at 11:30 a.m. The event is inspired by Rooftop Brewing Company’s Beer Trumps Hate IPA. All proceeds from the event will be donated to Western Washington’s American Civil Liberties Union.

The Conor Byrne Pub will host “Seattle Has a Ball: A Benefit for Our Friends and Community.” Tickets are $8 at the door and proceeds go to Seattle’s NAACP chapter, The ACT/SO Youth Program, and Planned Parenthood. The event starts at 9 p.m.

The Ruins Seattle will host “Salon de La Resistance: An Anti-Inaugural Ball.” The event starts at 8 p.m.  and tickets are $35. All proceeds will go to ACLU and El Centro de La Raza.

Update:

A few more people have come forward with additional events to include in our list.

Join the editors of local newsletter The Evergrey at WeWork Holyoke Building to reflect on finding a place in the new Trump era while eating Molly Moon’s signature “Baracky Road” ice cream. “Inauguration Night: Reflect, Be Heard, Take Action” is a free event and starts at 6 p.m. Registration is available online.

The third installment of “The Pink Carpet Project” will be taking place on inauguration day this year. This 21-and-over event will feature performances from burlesque to poetry, speakers including State Rep. Noel Frame, and the program will be led by the hosts of Hella Black Seattle. All proceeds from ticket sales and the silent auction will go to Planned Parenthood.

Celebrities, charities, and entrepreneurs have come together to provide charitable counter programming to the inauguration. “Love-a-Thon” will air live on Facebook at 12:30 p.m.eastern time. More than 30 actors, musicians, and entertainers will come together to help raise $500,000 for ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and EarthJustice.

Womxn’s March on Seattle on Saturday

Although not an inauguration alternative, a Womxn’s March on Seattle is scheduled for 10 a.m. at Judkins Park on Saturday Jan. 21, the same day as the major Women’s March on Washington scheduled in D.C. The marches will show support for all community members who were marginalized by the recent election. The Facebook page of the Seattle event showed 33,000 people signed up to attend, and other groups are organizing to march together at the event. Several groups will hold sign-making events this week to prepare for the march, and other smaller communities in Washington state are also organizing their own marches.

1 Comment

  1. Nobody has to watch, what they do not want to watch. However, all these events require one to be away from work, school or may be take care of kids. Why not hold these events on weekends to get more participation?

Comments are closed.

1 Comment

  1. Nobody has to watch, what they do not want to watch. However, all these events require one to be away from work, school or may be take care of kids. Why not hold these events on weekends to get more participation?

Comments are closed.