Parents who want to participate in this weekend’s No Kings demonstrations but are hesitant to bring little ones into the large downtown crowds have an alternative: a smaller, family-oriented protest hosted by Chrysanthemum, a children’s clothing shop in Columbia City.
On Saturday, October 18, from 12 to 2 p.m., families will gather at the intersection of Rainier Avenue South and Edmunds Street to hold signs, chant, and show solidarity with the nationwide No Kings movement. The shop will open at 10 a.m. with free sign-making supplies available in front of the store, and organizers have asked participants to stay mindful of nearby businesses and pedestrians.
This local offshoot first took shape in June 2025, when Chrysanthemum hosted a similar demonstration that drew hundreds of families — strollers, toddlers, and all — lining Rainier Avenue with handmade signs and songs. While the larger Seattle march at Cal Anderson Park attracted tens of thousands, many parents said the Columbia City version felt safer and more manageable. In neighborhood Facebook groups, one recurring sentiment summed it up: “Thank you for hosting a kid-friendly protest.”
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The No Kings movement itself began as a response to what organizers describe as rising authoritarianism within the federal government. It takes its name from a simple but powerful message: “In America, we don’t have kings.” Events across the country have united tens of thousands in peaceful protest against corruption and abuse of power. A core tenet of every No Kings gathering is a commitment to nonviolent action — participants are asked to de-escalate any conflicts and leave weapons at home.
Seattle’s main No Kings march will take place the same day at Seattle Center, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and expected to draw thousands. For families with young children, though, the Columbia City demonstration offers a smaller-scale way to participate while modeling civic engagement and peaceful protest.
Chrysanthemum’s gathering promises the same positive energy seen in June: creative signs, honking cars, and kids learning firsthand that their voices, and their values , matter.
Details
- Saturday, Oct. 18 | 12–2 p.m.
- Intersection of Rainier Ave S and Edmunds St., Seattle
- Sign-making starts at 10 a.m. in front of Chrysanthemum
