Islanders mark one year of Trump’s presidency with walkout
Published 10:30 am Tuesday, January 20, 2026
To the steady sound of drumbeats, about 80 protesters gathered at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the four-way stop to protest President Donald Trump’s second term on its one-year anniversary.
The protest, organized by Indivisible Vashon and titled “Walk Out on One Year of Fascism,” also drew members of Vashon-Maury Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) and the Vashon Bucket Brigade.
Protestors waved handmade cardboard signs with messages like “Reject the Fascist Grifting of the People” and “When Fox News Lies, Democracy Dies.”
“This is the kind of persistent awareness-raising that’s really important,” Kevin Jones, founder and leadership team member of Indivisible Vashon, said on Tuesday. “We encourage people to recognize that the people can prevail.”
This is Indivisible Vashon’s third protest in 2026, Jones said. The walkout comes in the wake of ICE’s current detainment of over 70,000 people, the Trump administration’s seizure of the Venezuelan president and the killing of Renée Good.
Liz Illg, a protestor, emphasized the importance of communities coming together to protest. “No act is insignificant in these times,” she said. “We’re looking out for one another.”
The mood was somber, yet energetic — protestors made their message clear with shouts each time a car honked and by pounding a rhythm on buckets and drums.
“We try to emphasize the fact that we’re here in community,” Jones said. “We can be joyful even in the face of challenge and adversity.”
Bailey de Iongh, a member of SURJ, wanted to ensure that people paid homage to those who have suffered the effects of Trump’s presidency in the last year.
“It has been a horrible, cruel, wild year and it’s important to mourn all the people who have been hurt,” she said.
Iongh said that there were fewer people at Tuesday’s walkout than at other Indivisible protests this month, but said that the turnout was “pretty good” for a weekday.
To those who didn’t feel comfortable showing up with signs and beating drums, Iongh suggested alternative ways of making a difference — economic boycotts, working on election campaigns from home.
“Everybody can do something, even if you don’t feel comfortable coming to the four-way stop,” she said.
Jones agreed. “It’s important to express your opinion in any way you feel comfortable doing so,” he said. He suggested writing letters and contacting Congress or the White House.
“Just express your opinion, because it’s important,” he said. “That’s what participatory democracy is all about.”
One protestor expressed emotions of futility against the constant onslaught, wondering if it was even worth it to protest.
To them, Jenny Castle said, “Don’t let them rob you of your hope. That’s what we give each other.”
