Originally posted by the Yakima Herald-Republic
Masses of people lined the sidewalks in front of Yakima Valley Mall in Union Gap on Saturday as part of a nationwide protest against the actions of the Trump administration.
Many people waved American flags or handmade signs and dressed in costumes.
Multiple issues brought people out, said rally organizer Scott Dolquist. He is chair of the steering committee for Yakima Indivisible, a pro-democracy group, and is a retired principal and school teacher.
People are upset about cuts to health care programs and Trump’s deportation policies. They also care about the Constitution and the rule of law, he said.
“We’re trying to say, ‘unity for democracy,’ ” he said. “We believe people have more in common than don’t.”
The causes have united a surprising number of people in the Yakima Valley and are a way for like-minded people to come together.
“People have told me, “I had no idea that this many people would show up in Yakima, WA,'” Dolquist said.
The Yakima Herald-Republic estimated more than 1,600 people stretched around the block 45 minutes into the demonstration, with more people coming in. The gathering ran from noon to 2 p.m.
Dolquist said the group estimated the turnout throughout the day at 2,700 to 3,000 people.
