Metropolis Desk
Thousands of people gathered in Washington on Saturday to protest President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, as advocates for women’s rights, racial justice, and other causes rallied against incoming policies they believe will endanger their constitutional rights during the Republican’s second term.
Many in the crowd donned pink hats, reminiscent of the much larger demonstrations against Trump’s first inauguration in 2017. Protesters marched through downtown in light rain, passing the White House and heading toward the Lincoln Memorial along the National Mall for the “People’s March.”
This year’s protests against Trump’s inauguration are notably smaller, partly because the U.S. women’s rights movement appears more divided, according to many activists, following Trump’s victory over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in November. Organizers anticipated 50,000 attendees, while local police estimated about 25,000. Additionally, over 300 marches were planned nationwide.
The march, organized by reproductive rights advocates, civil rights groups, environmental activists, and others, aimed to oppose Trump’s policies. Trump is set to assume office on Monday, following his defeat in the 2020 reelection by Democratic President Joe Biden.
In both of his presidential wins, Trump defeated candidates who would have made history as the first female U.S. president: Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Kamala Harris in 2024. This time, Trump secured victories in all seven battleground states to win the Electoral College and, for the first time in two decades for a Republican, carried the popular vote.
Trump has promised to enact significant changes on his first day, including immigration raids and the dismantling of certain parts of the federal government.
“A lot of people are disillusioned,” said Olivia Hoffman, 26, who works with the California-based Young Women’s Freedom Centre, an organisation supporting impoverished women and transgender youth. She travelled to Washington with her mother to participate in the march. “A lot of people feel like we’ve been fighting for the same things for so long.”
Saturday’s march highlighted a wide array of causes, including immigration, democracy, climate change, and the Gaza war. At least one protester expressed frustration with Trump’s policies toward Canada, carrying a sign reading, “We are not your 51st state.”
Mostly Peaceful Protests
The demonstrations remained largely peaceful amid heightened security, with police vehicles driving nearby with sirens blaring. Authorities led away one protester wearing a red MAGA hat who appeared near the front of the march, while anti-abortion activists displayed graphic posters at the final gathering point.
Vendors sold buttons with slogans like #MeToo and “Love Trumps Hate,” along with People’s March flags for $10. Protesters carried signs bearing messages such as “Feminists v. Fascists” and “People Over Politics.”
Mini Timmaraju, CEO of the advocacy group Reproductive Freedom for All, commended the crowd for showing up “in the face of what’s going to be some really horrible extremism.”
With Republicans controlling Congress and conservatives leading the U.S. Supreme Court, it remains uncertain how activists and Democrats will counter Trump’s agenda.
“I’m glad I can see some people here are hopeful,” said Nancy Robinson, a 65-year-old retired printing and tech specialist from Maryland. “That’s not me. I think we’re doomed.”
Additional protests are scheduled throughout the weekend, including on Inauguration Day, which coincides with Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Civil rights leaders plan to rally and continue mobilising against Trump’s administration.
“It’s heartening that people still care,” said Preethi Murthy, 28, a Washington-based global health worker. “We have to show that we’re bigger in numbers and that we’re not going to back down.”
