Olympia set to have another big protest on May 3. What to know
Olympia is set to have another large-scale protest on Saturday, May 3. While the growing 50501 movement had events across the U.S. on May 1, including in Tacoma, Olympia is waiting until the weekend.
While there will be some smaller-scale May Day events in town, Evergreen Resistance, Thurston County’s local coordinating chapter of 50501, posted a notice that they will not be coordinating anything locally.
Instead, there will be a downtown Olympia screening of the film “Salt of the Earth” at Capitol Theater on May 1, with doors opening at 6 p.m. and the film starting at 7 p.m.
Hosted by the Thurston–Lewis–Mason Central Labor Council, the screening is free, and an expert panel discussion about labor and immigrants rights will follow.
May 3 Olympia protests
On Saturday, May 3, the labor council will host an “All Labor March” in Olympia from noon to 2 p.m. The main rally point will be Tivoli Fountain at 103 Capitol Way S.
The council notes in their announcement that the event will be focused on protesting for “single-payer healthcare, immigrant rights, and our essential public services.”
A second event for the Paws 4 a Cause cancer awareness walk will be at Heritage Park on the shores of Capitol Lake from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is expected to draw several hundred people.
Olympia road closures on May 3
There will be some impacts to public transportation, traffic and road closures on Saturday, May 3.
Intercity Transit
- Routes 13 and 620 (both directions), which travel along Capitol Way, will be on detour routes from noon to 3 p.m. Call customer service at 360-786-1881 with questions or for more service information.
Capitol Campus street closures and parking
- According to Capitol Campus security, the north and south diagonals on campus will be closed to traffic, including parking. The entrance to Cherry Lane Southwest will be closed at the top and bottom between the Insurance Building and the sunken garden. Water Street and Cherry Lane will also be closed.
- There are multiple places around Capitol Campus with paid parking options. While parts of some parking areas are reserved for state workers, public parking is clearly marked.
- Capitol Campus public paid parking is by card only, and costs $2 per hour. A printable and downloadable map of parking locations is available online.
Downtown Olympia impacts and street closures
- Sylvester Park will be the end point for the protest and march that will begin on Capitol Campus, proceed down Capitol Way, and end at the park.
- Washington Street Southeast between Legion Way and Seventh Avenue Southeast will be closed from noon to 4 p.m.
- Food trucks will be in position on Washington Street, between Legion and Seventh.
Safety and security on Capitol Campus
- There are multiple security cameras around Capitol Campus, including one mobile unit.
- Drones are not allowed to be flown over the campus at any time.
- According to a spokesperson for the Department of Enterprise Services, which oversees Capitol Campus operations, if you witness something unsafe at the rally, you can call campus security’s non-emergency number at 360-407-9111. If it’s an emergency, call city authorities at 911.
This story was originally published May 1, 2025 at 1:38 PM.
