Recognizing & Addressing Womxn’s March Impact on the Atlantic Neighborhood

On Saturday, January 21st, I participated with over 100,000 people in the Womxn’s March on Seattle.

At the march, one of the things I noted is in the Atlantic Neighborhood, around Judkins park, we had a we had a massive impact to it and the surrounding communities the Central District, a historically minority, and socioeconomically disadvantaged area of Seattle.

I used to live downtown at Sixth and Yesler and one of the things I know is events like this, whether they be the Seahawks Parade, the Torchlight Parade, the Pride Parade, or that damn Redbull Soapbox Derby were annoyances, if not downright pains in the rear. I supported some of those events, I despised others, but they pale in comparison in to the impact that we at the Womxn’s march had to the Atlantic Neighborhood.

I have immense gratitude for the hospitality and grace shown by the people who live around Judkins Park, and we should thank the neighborhood for their hospitality and recognize the significant impact we had on their neighborhood.

But we would be rude guests to simply say “Thank you” and move on. While I was waiting near the start of the march, I had had the thought that we should throw the Atlantic Neighborhood a cook out when the weathers a little warmer. I still think this is a good idea, but it was immediately supplanted when I passed St. Mary’s, and they were requesting donations to their food bank. I’ve already suggeste to one of the ministers at my church that we host a drive for The Food Bank at St. Mary’s. I’m sure there are more needs that the Atlantic Neighborhood has, and those from other areas of Seattle should use our voices and privilege work for those to be met.

( also recognize the already identified impact that we had on the merchants in the International District that has been identified with suggested actions to address that impact.