Introverts Unite: The Subtle Stirrings of Peaceful Protest

How a simple sign captured the spirit of a small community eager for change

Credit: author

I showed up at the main shopping area of my quaint little harbor town in Washington, thinking it would be easier than driving to Seattle. I had my sun hat on and comfy running shoes, ready to mingle with a crowd I thought I knew. My sign said, “So bad, even the introverts are here,” which was a cheeky nod to my reclusive nature and a light-hearted jab at these urgent times. Little did I know that that piece of cardboard was about to launch tons of conversation and reveal the true voice of Gig Harbor.

Our town, which is just north of Tacoma, is usually described as a quiet, somewhat conservative little haven with picturesque views. On Saturday, April 5, it buzzed with a more rebellious energy. Nearly 2,000 people turned out of different ages and ideologies, united by a shared frustration — but not necessarily a shared priority. Contrary to the popular belief that all of Washington is a liberal state, Gig Harbor (much like its Oregonian counterparts) has a significant conservative population outside its big cities. Pierce County’s website shows our area as purple, being evenly split between the two parties, but what I witnessed was not about affiliation. And that was exciting.