The afternoon started out quietly with only a handful of people carrying signs. Then, just after 1 p.m., the action began and a group started marching down Pine Street.

With 30 governors in town, people are looking for a chance to be heard.

"We are just trying to draw attention to affordable health care, benefits and stuff like that for state workers," said Gary Hill.

Hill said he and his co-workers joined the protests simply to enlighten others. "We are out here just to do a peaceful little picket just so people know what we're doing. A lot of the citizens of Washington state don't really understand what state workers go through."

Arielle Woolis-Pink came to the protest with a group of college students. She wanted to meet with the governors to talk about a corporate fellows program.

"We've requested to sit in and share in their discussion but they denied us that. So, we invited ourselves here," she said.

Everyone in the crowd got a chance to speak. That includes people who are sometimes overlooked.

David Cornelson came out from Philadelphia to speak out on behalf of the disabled

"These people that are in nursing homes need to be living independently, on their own, particularly people with disabilities whose lives are being stolen," he said.

Cornelson was joined by several hundred people in wheelchairs.

"Discrimination against disabled people is pretty rampant still because so many people with disabilities are isolated," he said.

Seattle police officers lined the streets throughout the afternoon. They were balancing the pressures of keeping the peace, and helping cars maneuver through the sea of pedestrians.

Overall, the afternoon was much quieter than anticipated.