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Tens of thousands expected at No Kings Seattle

Seattle organizers say Saturday's march could exceed last year's 90,000 attendees.

News

Tens of thousands of protesters are expected to flood Seattle streets Saturday as part of a nationwide No Kings day of action spanning more than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="3,000 events" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/24/bruce-springsteen-joan-baez-no-kings-twin-cities" data-vars-content-id="7047f0d9-04be-464d-82dd-9f0f878dade4" data-vars-headline="Tens of thousands expected at No Kings Seattle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/24/bruce-springsteen-joan-baez-no-kings-twin-cities" target="_self">3,000 events</a>.Why it matters: The protest is part of what organizers hope will be one of the largest single-day demonstrations in recent U.S. history — reflecting opposition to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="immigration enforcement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/immigration" data-vars-content-id="7047f0d9-04be-464d-82dd-9f0f878dade4" data-vars-headline="Tens of thousands expected at No Kings Seattle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/immigration" target="_self">immigration enforcement</a> and broader economic and political concerns.

Light rail opens from Seattle to Bellevue this weekend

New East Link service connects Seattle and Bellevue across I-90 after nearly two decades of waiting.

Light rail over Lake Washington will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="become a reality" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/01/23/seattle-bellevue-light-rail-opening-east-link-delay-i90" data-vars-content-id="53bfc036-f358-4011-a0bd-37a617905162" data-vars-headline="Light rail opens from Seattle to Bellevue this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/01/23/seattle-bellevue-light-rail-opening-east-link-delay-i90" target="_self">become a reality</a> on Saturday, nearly 18 years after Puget Sound voters first approved it.Why it matters: The completion of Sound Transit&#x27;s East Link extension will connect Bellevue to Seattle, creating a roughly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="60-mile" data-vars-click-url="https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/crosslake-connection-opens-march-28" data-vars-content-id="53bfc036-f358-4011-a0bd-37a617905162" data-vars-headline="Light rail opens from Seattle to Bellevue this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/crosslake-connection-opens-march-28" target="_blank">60-mile</a> network stretching from the Eastside to Lynnwood to Federal Way.

Ferguson signs Washington income tax targeting millionaires

The 9.9% tax on income over $1M starts in 2028 and is expected to face a court challenge.

Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new tax" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/03/11/washington-income-tax-millionaires-clears-house" data-vars-content-id="097d3f7d-40d1-443a-ae66-8c858596a5c2" data-vars-headline="Ferguson signs Washington income tax targeting millionaires" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/03/11/washington-income-tax-millionaires-clears-house" target="_self">new tax</a> on high earners into law Monday, ending Washington&#x27;s run as one of the few states without an income tax on the books.Why it matters: The tax, which won&#x27;t be imposed for nearly two years, is likely to face <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="legal and political" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/03/12/washington-income-tax-clears-legislature-faces-challenges" data-vars-content-id="097d3f7d-40d1-443a-ae66-8c858596a5c2" data-vars-headline="Ferguson signs Washington income tax targeting millionaires" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/03/12/washington-income-tax-clears-legislature-faces-challenges" target="_self">legal and political</a> challenges, even as supporters say it will make the state&#x27;s tax code fairer.

Seattle could rename former Chávez park for Dolores Huerta

Seattle removed the Chávez name and is now taking suggestions, including honoring Dolores Huerta.

Seattle Parks and Recreation is accepting suggestions to rename the former César Chávez Park — and some would like a name that honors labor leader Dolores Huerta, who co-founded the United Farm Workers alongside Chávez.The big picture: The push to rename the park follows a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New York Times investigation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/18/us/cesar-chavez-sexual-abuse-allegations-ufw.html" data-vars-content-id="a31e65ce-d4a6-452f-aaef-dec676bb6e66" data-vars-headline="Seattle could rename former Chávez park for Dolores Huerta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/18/us/cesar-chavez-sexual-abuse-allegations-ufw.html" target="_blank">New York Times investigation</a> last month that detailed reports of Chávez sexually abusing women and girls, including Huerta.

Seattle opens residential areas to small cafes, corner markets

New zoning rules aim to boost walkability and support local shops across Seattle neighborhoods.

Seattle now allows small cafes and markets throughout residential neighborhoods, ending decades-old zoning rules that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="largely banned" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/02/10/neighborhood-cafe-law-washington-state" data-vars-content-id="692b0cd2-15f9-49ba-bd6c-109786ba15c5" data-vars-headline="Seattle opens residential areas to small cafes, corner markets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/02/10/neighborhood-cafe-law-washington-state" target="_self">largely banned</a> new businesses in those areas.Why it matters: The goal is to create walkable neighborhoods where people can buy groceries, grab a bite to eat or run errands on foot — a strategy that also helps support small local retailers, Seattle City Council president Joy Hollingsworth told Axios.

No opening date yet for Seattle waterfront playground

Officials say a summer debut is still planned, but materials delays have held things up.

Neighborhoods

<figure><img alt="A jellyfish climbing structure on the waterfront on Pier 58, with some construction barriers still up." height="1816" id="6cc71c18-b03c-4047-a845-d2499ad36d6c" src="https://images.axios.com/WwF7m2v_1Jk4XHe-YR1WsNZI9_4=/2025/06/04/1749066179527.jpg" width="2420"/><figcaption>Pier 58 will include a playground with a climbing structure shaped like a jellyfish. Photo: Courtesy of City of Seattle</figcaption></figure>A key feature of Seattle&#x27;s revamped <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="downtown waterfront" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/10/02/new-gateway-walk-waterfront-2024" data-vars-content-id="0482eace-38b3-4df0-8d2f-4b757b51f7d0" data-vars-headline="No opening date yet for Seattle waterfront playground" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/10/02/new-gateway-walk-waterfront-2024" target="_self">downtown waterfront</a> — the rebuilt Pier 58, which includes a new playground — still doesn&#x27;t have a firm opening date, city officials tell Axios.Why it matters: The main playground features, such as a giant climbable jellyfish, have been in place for months.

Help Seattle win our contest for best public art

Both of Seattle's entries have made it to the Elite Eight.

We knew you could do it, Seattle.The latest: Both Seattle art pieces we submitted in our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Local public art contest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/03/11/march-madness-best-public-art-mountain-west" data-vars-content-id="f366fff0-e721-47e2-b87a-ed2478cca2fc" data-vars-headline="Help Seattle win our contest for best public art" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/03/11/march-madness-best-public-art-mountain-west" target="_self">Axios Local public art contest</a> made it through the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first round" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-seattle-2dab8460-feac-11ef-86fc-dfeedb43743c.html?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_seattle&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="f366fff0-e721-47e2-b87a-ed2478cca2fc" data-vars-headline="Help Seattle win our contest for best public art" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-seattle-2dab8460-feac-11ef-86fc-dfeedb43743c.html?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_seattle&amp;stream=top" target="_self">first round</a> of voting, advancing to the Elite Eight.

The proper etiquette for Seattle's "free piles"

Axios Seattle surveyed readers and found 66% think free piles can be sustainable.

Many Seattleites are fans of placing unwanted items in &quot;free piles&quot; for others to take — but even those who embrace this form of recycling think it can quickly devolve into a source of litter.Why it matters: Free piles — which can include furniture, household items or boxes filled with things like clothes and books — commonly pop up on Seattle street corners. But sometimes the unwanted junk stays for days, which can become a nuisance.

No-mow lawns are thriving in Seattle

No-mow and low-mow yards require less maintenance than lawns, while also benefiting birds and bees.

Some Seattle gardeners are moving away from grass and instead aiming to landscape or <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;rewild&quot; their yards" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/04/12/spring-tips-seattle-gardeners" data-vars-content-id="71575a0f-1c6f-47b9-81a5-fce2b0edfc42" data-vars-headline="No-mow lawns are thriving in Seattle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/04/12/spring-tips-seattle-gardeners" target="_self">&quot;rewild&quot; their yards</a> by planting wildflowers, clovers and other <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cover crops" data-vars-click-url="https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/2079/2015/06/Cover-Crops-for-Home-Gardens-West-of-the-Cascades-WSU.pdf" data-vars-content-id="71575a0f-1c6f-47b9-81a5-fce2b0edfc42" data-vars-headline="No-mow lawns are thriving in Seattle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/2079/2015/06/Cover-Crops-for-Home-Gardens-West-of-the-Cascades-WSU.pdf" target="_blank">cover crops</a>, such as vetch, local experts say.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="No-mow (or low-mow) lawns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/05/05/no-mow-may-comes-with-caveats" data-vars-content-id="71575a0f-1c6f-47b9-81a5-fce2b0edfc42" data-vars-headline="No-mow lawns are thriving in Seattle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/05/05/no-mow-may-comes-with-caveats" target="_self">No-mow (or low-mow) lawns</a> have been popular in the Pacific Northwest for decades but demand continues to grow as people seek yard solutions that require less maintenance while also <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="benefiting birds and bees" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2023/07/05/help-the-pollinators-in-your-backyard-north-carolina" data-vars-content-id="71575a0f-1c6f-47b9-81a5-fce2b0edfc42" data-vars-headline="No-mow lawns are thriving in Seattle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2023/07/05/help-the-pollinators-in-your-backyard-north-carolina" target="_self">benefiting birds and bees</a>, said Kristin Jackson, co-owner of Urban Earth Nursery in Fremont.

A bracket that visualizes the best public art in Axios' Mountain West cities as voted on by readers.

Neighborhoods

Seattle opens residential areas to small cafes, corner markets

No opening date yet for Seattle waterfront playground

Help Seattle win our contest for best public art

Where are we?

The proper etiquette for Seattle's "free piles"