It used to be guys dressed up in tricorn hats who protested on Tax Day. Now it’s people who want to see President Trump’s tax returns.
The national Tax March took the streets of Seattle on Saturday, demanding the president release his returns, as was promised multiple times throughout his presidential campaign. More than 1,000 demonstrators met at the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building on Second Avenue to hear activists and local politicians like U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal press for the returns and call for tax reform that would pull more money from rich people like Trump.
At times the crowd became restless during the speeches. At one point, boos were heard throughout the crowd as young activists from Block the Bunker—the group opposing the construction of a large new police precinct in North Seattle—made connections between tax reform, income inequality, and institutional racism. Marchers took the streets, making their way down Fourth Avenue, passing Westlake Park where organizers were setting up for the Black Lives Matter rally, and eventually ending at Seattle Center.
“The release of Donald Trump’s tax returns is really important, because it will show us all the conflicts of interest that may or may not exist,” U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal said in an interview with Seattle Weekly. “We want to see a president that is actually serving the interests of the American people and not his own financial interests.”
“The release of Donald Trump’s tax returns is really important, because it will show us all the conflicts of interest that may or may not exist,” U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal said in an interview with Seattle Weekly. “We want to see a president that is actually serving the interests of the American people and not his own financial interests.”
“The release of Donald Trump’s tax returns is really important, because it will show us all the conflicts of interest that may or may not exist,” U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal said in an interview with Seattle Weekly. “We want to see a president that is actually serving the interests of the American people and not his own financial interests.”
“The release of Donald Trump’s tax returns is really important, because it will show us all the conflicts of interest that may or may not exist,” U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal said in an interview with Seattle Weekly. “We want to see a president that is actually serving the interests of the American people and not his own financial interests.”
A protester wears a tax document as a hat as she waits to hear speakers at Seattle’s Tax March.
A protester wears a tax document as a hat as she waits to hear speakers at Seattle’s Tax March.
A protester wears a tax document as a hat as she waits to hear speakers at Seattle’s Tax March.
A protester wears a tax document as a hat as she waits to hear speakers at Seattle’s Tax March.
A protester wears a tax document as a hat as she waits to hear speakers at Seattle’s Tax March.
Kamara Blackwell, right, and Hamdi Abdulle march. “As president he should be able to release public information to all citizens of America, and I think that it’s totally fair that we demand that of him,” Blackwell said.
Kamara Blackwell, right, and Hamdi Abdulle march. “As president he should be able to release public information to all citizens of America, and I think that it’s totally fair that we demand that of him,” Blackwell said.
Kamara Blackwell, right, and Hamdi Abdulle march. “As president he should be able to release public information to all citizens of America, and I think that it’s totally fair that we demand that of him,” Blackwell said.
Kamara Blackwell, right, and Hamdi Abdulle march. “As president he should be able to release public information to all citizens of America, and I think that it’s totally fair that we demand that of him,” Blackwell said.
Officer Jokela of the Seattle Police Department holds up a bottle of Pepsi as protesters with the Tax March stream down Fourth Avenue towards Seattle Center, a spoof of the much maligned Pepsi ad featuring protesters giving police a soda to make peace.
“I’m angry about the lack of transparency, and subterfuge that’s going on in the White House,” Lisa from Ballard said. “I think he owes it to us to be open and transparent with his financial dealings and with visitors to the White House and other dealings.”
“I’m angry about the lack of transparency, and subterfuge that’s going on in the White House,” Lisa from Ballard said. “I think he owes it to us to be open and transparent with his financial dealings and with visitors to the White House and other dealings.”
“I’m angry about the lack of transparency, and subterfuge that’s going on in the White House,” Lisa from Ballard said. “I think he owes it to us to be open and transparent with his financial dealings and with visitors to the White House and other dealings.”
“I’m angry about the lack of transparency, and subterfuge that’s going on in the White House,” Lisa from Ballard said. “I think he owes it to us to be open and transparent with his financial dealings and with visitors to the White House and other dealings.”
“We’re not willing to put up with Trump’s BS,” Don Spotty said. “He said he’d show tax returns, he never did. There’s stuff going on with his presidency, who he’s beholden too. That’s the main thing for me. If he doesn’t show his taxes, Congress oughta force him to show his taxes.”
Bree Fish, left and John Kohlsaat came from Everett to protest. “We want to let people know that we care and that we’re aware and we will continue to resist and fight,” John said.
“My mom wanted to do this, and I’ve been to the Women’s March, so I wanted to show up in support. I feel like the fact that If he doesn’t release them, that says something about him,” Shannon from Seattle said.
“I want him to release his taxes for transparency. I feel like he’s hiding something. I feel like there’s some collusion with the Russians and I think it’s bullshit,” Heather Rose said.
“I’m against Trump not showing his taxes. I think that everyone should,” Selena Ehlers said. “All the presidents in the past have done so, what does he have to hide? I think there’s some sort of collusion going on between him and this Russian deal that’s going on.”
“I went to high school with Frank Lesser who started this whole thing,” said Corey Fitch. “I think it’s very representative of lies across the board.”
“I went to high school with Frank Lesser who started this whole thing,” said Corey Fitch. “I think it’s very representative of lies across the board.”
“This is just one narrow thing out of many things that we are against that’s going on in our federal government. Tax returns, displeasure with Sessions, what’s going on in the EPA. You have to have an outlet for some of your frustration and sometimes that’s being with like-minded people out in the streets and that’s what we’re doing today,” said Rami Atallah of Shoreline.
“I think that the president is bucking a lot of norms that are appropriate and I think he’s not setting a good example around the world, much less this nation. I think this is just going to cause further degradation of our democracy if we don’t demand those norms be accepted, like showing taxes, like letting people see who visits the White House. It’s a long list,” said Martin Jimenez.
“I want Donald Trump to release his taxes because I think we need to know who he owes money to, what causes he’s supporting, etcetera,” said Allison.
“I can’t stand what he’s getting by with,” Kent Westbrook, center, said. “He’s double dipping off of everything. He’s making money off of us, the taxpayers, laughing at us. I’m so appalled by everything that I have to be out here.”
“At the very least, he repeatedly and explicitly promised to release his taxes and he just keeps dodging it, even though he said explicitly he would do it, over and over. It’s inherently untrustworthy and there’s almost certainly information that’s relevant to understanding his conflicts of interest. I think he should be held accountable for his repeated promises to reveal his taxes,” said Aaron.
“At the very least, he repeatedly and explicitly promised to release his taxes and he just keeps dodging it, even though he said explicitly he would do it, over and over. It’s inherently untrustworthy and there’s almost certainly information that’s relevant to understanding his conflicts of interest. I think he should be held accountable for his repeated promises to reveal his taxes,” said Aaron.
“At the very least, he repeatedly and explicitly promised to release his taxes and he just keeps dodging it, even though he said explicitly he would do it, over and over. It’s inherently untrustworthy and there’s almost certainly information that’s relevant to understanding his conflicts of interest. I think he should be held accountable for his repeated promises to reveal his taxes,” said Aaron.
“At the very least, he repeatedly and explicitly promised to release his taxes and he just keeps dodging it, even though he said explicitly he would do it, over and over. It’s inherently untrustworthy and there’s almost certainly information that’s relevant to understanding his conflicts of interest. I think he should be held accountable for his repeated promises to reveal his taxes,” said Aaron.
“At the very least, he repeatedly and explicitly promised to release his taxes and he just keeps dodging it, even though he said explicitly he would do it, over and over. It’s inherently untrustworthy and there’s almost certainly information that’s relevant to understanding his conflicts of interest. I think he should be held accountable for his repeated promises to reveal his taxes,” said Aaron.
