Last night was a very big deal for the little Slat Rat in the Big City.
As I left our Smith Tower offices in Pioneer Square at 6:00 PM, I knew something was up. Something very big. And it was between the office and my hotel - The Monaco. I could hear snippets of an amplified speech and then the responding roar of a HUGE crowd.
And then I remembered - it's Monday - "National Day of Action for Immigrant Justice". Rallys were scheduled all across the US.
Sure enough, as I got closer, people - mostly latinos were streaming towards me - most were carrying american flags and everyone looked like they were having a great time.
Ground zero was absolutely mobbed with people and the air was that of a giant festival. I'd say at least a 1/3 of the demonstrators had their families with them and they just emanated pride. I thought it was fabulous demonstration of participatory democracy. Those little kids won't soon forget their experiences. Police estimates put the crowd between 15,000 and 20,000.
A very typical sign:
Festive demonstration beads.
A police line for traffic control.
9:23:02 AM 
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