This year marks the 50th anniversary of Seattle’s Freeway Revolt and you are invited to join us in celebrating. Seattle ARCH (Activists Remembered, Celebrated and Honored) and six community councils (including your Montlake Community Club) are co-sponsoring a community open house on Sunday, September 23, from 3-6 p.m. Two other events on September 19 and 26 will also showcase this important time in Seattle history. Freeway Revolt 50th Anniversary Open House
Sunday, September 23, 3-6 pm
Central Area Senior Center, 500 30th Ave S, Seattle 98144
In1968, two grassroots organizations – Citizens Against the R.H. Thomson and Citizens Against Freeways – formed to challenge plans for a dense network of freeways in Seattle. These and other groups helped build a diverse, citywide coalition that took on powerful pro-highway forces and kept Seattle from becoming “the Los Angeles of the North.”
Learn about the dense network of freeways planned for Seattle and view flyers, letters and other materials from the citizens’ resistance at this free public event. Former activists will be on hand to share their experiences. Light refreshments will be served and visitors may drop in at any time.
Schedule:
3:00 pm: Doors open
3:30 pm: Welcoming remarks
3:45 pm: “Open mike” – reflections and recollections
4:30 pm: Excerpts from freeway revolt documentary
The open house is co-sponsored by the Laurelhurst Community Club, Leschi Community Council, Montlake Community Club, Mt. Baker Community Club, Portage Bay/Roanoke Park Community Council, and Ravenna-Bryant Community Association.
MOHAI History Café on Seattle’s Freeway Revolt
Wednesday, September 19, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Museum of History & Industry, 860 Terry Ave N, Seattle 98109
Former anti-freeway activists Donald Gibbs, Jean Godden, Larry Gossett and Junius Rochester will share personal stories from their involvement in Seattle’s Freeway Revolt. Priscilla Arsove, who co-founded Seattle ARCH (Activists Remembered, Celebrated and Honored), will provide a brief overview of the movement. Held in the Museum’s cafe, this is a popular, free event that often draws a large crowd. See the MOHAI.org website for visitor information.
“Ramps to Nowhere” Documentary Film
Wednesday, September 26, 7:15 pm
Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave, Seattle 98122
“Ramps to Nowhere,” an experimental documentary by filmmaker Minda Martin, will be shown at the Northwest Film Forum’s “Local Sightings” film festival. The film highlights the coalition of communities that participated in Seattle’s freeway revolt, interweaving archival information from the 1960s and 70s with Martin’s personal narrative about living next to freeways. Contemporary interviews with former activists are also featured. Check the Local Sightings website for ticket information.
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