This Saturday’s Womxn’s March on Seattle will support multiple groups who have felt marginalized by the election President-elect Donald Trump.
The march also happens to fall on the Saturday before Lunar New Year, celebrated in many Asian cultures, and the street closures could disrupt one of the biggest shopping days of the year for many Little Saigon businesses as local families prepare for the holidays.
Business owners in Little Saigon and Chinatown-International District issued open letters this week, published in the International Examiner, asking marchers to shop and eat before or after the march to make up for the possible lost business, because the march route will limit car access to some stores and restaurants on Jackson Street for part of the day.
However, the local business owners expressed support for the march. The Friends of Little Saigon Facebook page posted fliers about the march in several languages, and also encouraged marchers to support the businesses along route.
“The march is passing through the neighborhood by going down S Jackson Street, the street where our store and numerous other small businesses are located. Access to these businesses will be disrupted mid-day on a busy weekend anywhere from a few hours to possibly half the day and sales are going to take a huge hit,” wrote Leeching Tran, a vice president of Viet-Wah Superfoods. “So if you’re marching (or even if you’re not), consider stopping by some of these businesses before or after the march to shop and eat. Come by in the evening, or come on Sunday, or better yet, keep coming back and supporting them throughout the rest of the year too!”
The march is expected to draw tens of thousands of people and involves multiple groups. The march starts with a rally at Judkins Park at 10 a.m. and will head to Seattle Center starting at 11 a.m.
Further reading
Letter: Marchers, please consider eating and shopping in the CID
Letter: Please consider supporting Little Saigon after the Womxn’s March on Seattle
Womxn’s March: Make sure Little Saigon, CID businesses not hurt by an event meant to empower them
