Lake Forest Park NO KINGS Rally

Over 500 people gathered in Lake Forest Park for the No Kings Rally
Photo by Glen Milner

By Donna Hawkey

Photos by Donna Hawkey except as noted

Lake Forest Park’s (LFP) Democracy Corner buzzed on Saturday morning not only with cars and buses, but with about 535 rally attendees. Many were LFP residents, but Shoreline and Seattle were represented as well. There are no boundaries during this oppressive government; we know it’s important to unite, and to vote is urgent.

Lake Forest Park for Peace and Lake Forest Park for Justice co-hosted Saturday’s event. Democracy Corner is an ideal rally location with our watchful LFP police in attendance, a fire station with an ambulance at the end of the block, and easy parking and ADA access. A lawn with trees for shade on a hot day is a big plus. too. And the crowd was very engaged, but kind and courteous.

Gay Armsden voted before the rally, using the ballot box next to LFP city hall
Photo by Kenneth Berkun

Mayor Tom French addressed everyone on the importance of voting, especially early. He asked people to check on elderly or other neighbors who may need help getting to the ballot box, and he emphasized how precious our voting rights and our Constitution are, so we can’t throw that away.

League of Women Voters registered people to vote

The League of Women Voters attended to help answer any voting questions.

Elizabeth Simmons-O’Neil, LFP rally co-lead, read every comment from our attendees’ surveys and said, “People feel heartened at our rallies; we receive 100% positive feedback. Attendees tell us they love the energy, the crowd, the music, and coming together for the sake of our democracy."

"Build community as an act of resistance"
"Power to the People - Vote"

"Enthusiastic, hopeful, and energized by the possibility of change," was how LFP resident Gary Hawkey described the attendees. Many attendees tell us they appreciate the upbeat, feel-good music our DJ provides, and you can see people break out in joyful dance throughout the day. They say it all helps give them hope.

But hope is not what we need today. We need everyone to Vote! Vote today, and put it in a ballot box. Many at the rally had already voted.

Open (the ballot envelope). Vote. Put it in the nearest drop box now.
WA State Supreme Court. I vote for Melody, Hawk, Birk, Angelis, Stephens.

If you use the post office, take the ballot to a service representative and have them hand-stamp it in front of you. Otherwise, it goes into a big pile and waits another day for pickup. Please mail your ballots by October 23 to ensure they arrive on time. But the best way is the ballot box. And you can track your ballot

King County is a very secure place to vote, so do it today!