Thousands of People Gather in Washington to Protest Trump’s Inauguration
Thousands of people gathered in Washington on Saturday to protest President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, with activists from various causes, including women’s rights, racial justice, and environmental activism, coming together to rally against incoming policies they say will threaten their constitutional rights.
The protest, dubbed the “People’s March,” wound through downtown Washington, past the White House and toward the Lincoln Memorial, as a light rain fell on the crowd. Organizers predicted 50,000 would attend, while local police expected around 25,000.
Reproductive rights groups joined forces with activists for civil rights, the environment, and other causes to organize the march against Trump, who is set to take office on Monday and has vowed to make sweeping changes, including immigration raids and dismantling parts of the federal government.
Many protesters expressed disillusionment and frustration with the current political climate, with one organizer stating, “A lot of people are disillusioned. A lot of people feel like we’ve been fighting for the same things for so long.”
The protest was largely peaceful, with police cars patrolling the area and a few disruptions reported. Some demonstrators carried signs that read “Love Trumps Hate” and “People over Politics,” while others criticized Trump’s policies on immigration and the treatment of women’s rights.
The “People’s March” is one of many protests planned across the country, with at least 300 more marches expected to take place nationwide in the coming days.
Activists and civil rights leaders are urging continued mobilization and resistance under Trump’s administration, with many expressing hope that their efforts will have an impact on the new administration’s policies. As one activist said, “It’s warming that people still care. We have to show that we’re bigger in numbers and we’re not going to back down.”
