Protests planned in Puget Sound as Trump takes presidency

SEATTLE — As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his inauguration, critics are gathering in Washington state to voice their opposition.

Protests are planned for Monday in Tacoma and in front of Garfield High School in Seattle’s Central District.

On Saturday, hundreds of people marched from Cal Anderson Park to the Seattle Center, advocating for women’s rights, racial and environmental justice, democracy, education and jobs. The protest echoed Seattle’s first women’s march in 2017, which attracted at least 120,000 participants after Trump’s initial inauguration.

Newly sworn-in Gov. Bob Ferguson addressed the crowd Saturday, pledging to challenge any unconstitutional policies of the new administration.

“My job is different than it was the last time Donald Trump was president,” said Ferguson, who served as attorney general for 12 years. “But I can assure you that if this administration engages in any action that violates the law, exceeds its authority, and harms your rights, the citizens of the state, or our environment, I will stand up and we will stop them again.”

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In Tacoma, a protest is scheduled to take place at Fireman’s Park at 2 p.m., organized by a coalition of more than 17 groups opposed to the Trump presidency. Seattle protest takes place at 9 a.m.

Seattle police reported that the popular weekend march caused minor traffic delays but remained peaceful.

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Authorities in Western Washington are on standby, preparing for possible unrest after the inauguration.