We Marched for Hope

[By members of Urban Sketchers Seattle at the Women’s Marches
in Seattle and Olympia]

Tina Koyama:

I am generally not politically vocal. I prefer one-on-one
conversations to public expression. Whenever possible, I avoid large crowds. But
I have deep concern about the U.S. being led by a man whose values support so
many things I abhor. Despite every cell in my body telling me to stay home, I
decided to participate in Seattle’s Women’s March with the hope that the event
would help me turn my anger and fear into a more productive energy.

Joining 130,000 Seattleites at what turned out to be the largest gathering in the city’s history, I felt an immense bond with all the women and men who share my concerns and fears. Watching media coverage of similar marches around the world, I was deeply moved by the enormous solidarity demonstrated. I came home from the event feeling hopeful that we have the collective strength to take positive action.

Tina Koyama

Tina Koyama

Jane Wingfield:

It was drizzling when we parked and started walking towards
the Capitol grounds. We could hear cheers and drumming as we got closer. Then,
gradually the sun broke through the clouds, and waves of marchers and signs
poured towards us. There was joy and happiness and empowerment flowing through
the streets of Olympia. Our theme song was “Lead with Love” by
Melanie DeMore, whose chorus rings with freedom and justice:  

You gotta put one foot in front of the other and lead with
love.

Put one foot in front of the other and lead with love.

Don’t give up hope.

You’re not alone

Don’t you give up.

Keep movin’ on.’

And that’s exactly what I plan to do, one step at a
time. 

Jane Wingfield

Jane Wingfield

Jane Wingfield

David Hingtgen:

Yesterday we made our way to the march on a bus packed with
families and pink hats. There was a strong sense of cordiality and unity as
strangers struck up conversations. Departing the bus, we hiked up the hill to
the crowd and waited for the march to start. We waited for the first wave to
pass for the end to come. After waiting an hour with no end in sight we jumped
and made our way to the Seattle Center on a beautiful sunny day. It was a
fairly quiet crowd with intermittent waves of shouts surging from behind and
passing us. For me it was very reassuring to be with so many other like-minded
citizens.

David Hingtgen

David Hingtgen

David Hingtgen

Susan Miller:

I left West Seattle early to sketch at Judkins Park. The No.
21 bus has probably never before been standing-room-only at 8:30 on a Saturday
morning, nor felt like a party bus, with everyone chatting and bonding. And I
can state categorically that I have never before packed Opera pink to go
sketching in Seattle in January.

Susan Miller

Kate Buike:

“So bad, even introverts are here.” That sign
seen in a photo from the DC march sums it up for me. I don’t like
crowds. This was not the first march in which I’ve participated but it was
by far the largest. Except for a few religious zealots yelling at us, the
crowd was relatively quiet and very upbeat. I found it a rather joyous
atmosphere despite the reason that brought us out.

Kate Buike

Kate Buike

Gail Wong:

It was a bright sunny morning, pink Pussyhats everywhere. Every
so often you could hear a roar starting up like a wave coming up the hill and passing
over us. It was truly an amazing experience. I broke off from the march at the public
library to search for a view overlooking the march.

Gail Wong

Gail Wong

Antonella Pavese:

These were made at Judkins Park while listening to the
speeches and waiting (2 hours!!) to exit the square. It was a long, exhausting
and exciting day. I wasn’t expecting that many people and the diversity of
messages and representation at the march.

Antonella Pavese

Antonella Pavese

Dave Somers:

My wife and I joined a herd of friends for the Seattle
Women’s March. The crowd was stunning. It was VERY large, high energy, happy and pleasant, though resolute in
the feelings that brought them to the march in the first place. All my sketches
were made at Judkins Park since we had a lot of waiting time before we started
moving. It was packed tight with people and signs and activity. 

Dave Somers