Thousands of people gathered in Washington, D.C., to protest against Donald Trump’s policies ahead of his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States on January 20.
A coalition of several organisations, including Sakhi for South Asian Survivors, organised the demonstration under the banner of People’s March, previously known as the Women’s March, which has taken place annually since 2017.
The protest saw activists raising slogans and displaying anti-Trump posters, condemning his policies alongside those of his supporters such as Elon Musk.
The rallies began with a series of protests starting from three different parks, culminating near the Lincoln Memorial. The People’s March described mass protests as a powerful way to resist fascism and invite communities to do the same.
This demonstration coincides with Trump’s arrival in the nation’s capital for weekend events ahead of his swearing-in ceremony on Monday.
Coalition members included Abortion Action Now, Time to Act, SisterSong, Women’s March, Popular Democracy In Action, Harriet’s Wildest Dreams, The Feminist Front, NOW, Planned Parenthood, National Women’s Law Centre Action Fund, Sierra Club, and the Frontline.
Women’s March led the logistics of the mobilisation, while similar marches were also held in New York, Seattle, and Chicago.
Brittany Martinez, one of the protesters, said, “We really wanted to come to support women, equality, immigration, everything that really feels like we don’t have much of a say in right now.”
Law enforcement officials reported that protests and major events are planned throughout the weekend leading up to Monday’s inauguration.
Demonstrators continued to voice strong opposition to Trump’s values and policies, chanting slogans like “F**k Trump!”, “Trans Lives Matter!”, “Stand up, fight back!”, “Trust Black women!” and “We cannot be silent.”
