Less than 48 hours before the second inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, thousands gathered in downtown D.C. Saturday to participate in the People’s March — a reprisal of the original Women’s March that took place a day after Trump’s first inauguration in 2017. The march involves a coalition of different groups, each rallying in support of causes they believe to be under threat by the incoming administration.
Women outraged over Trump’s 2016 presidential win flocked to Washington in 2017 and organized large rallies in cities throughout the country, building the base of a grassroots movement that became known as the Women’s March. In 2017, the Washington rally alone attracted over 500,000 marchers, and millions more participated in local marches around the country, marking one of the largest single-day demonstrations in U.S. history.
This year, the crowd was far fewer than the expected 50,000 participants, already just one-tenth the size of the first march. The demonstration comes amid a restrained moment of reflection as many progressive voters navigate feelings of exhaustion, disappointment and despair after Harris’ loss.
“All of us are a little scared about what’s going to happen starting next week,” one demonstrator told ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵapp’s Heather Gustafson.
The march began at the historic Lincoln Memorial, where attendees listened to speeches from activists, community leaders and public figures who advocated for systemic change. The energy was palpable as the crowd, waving a sea of placards and banners, made its way along Constitution Avenue.
A variety of issues were at the forefront of the march, including racial equality, economic justice and environmental sustainability. Demonstrators called for more inclusive policies addressing health care, education and housing inequalities. The intersectionality of the movements was a central theme, with many emphasizing the interconnectedness of environmental and racial justice.
Speakers highlighted recent climate reports indicating the urgent need to curb carbon emissions to prevent catastrophic global warming. Environmental activists called for policies to promote renewable energy, reduce fossil fuel dependency, and protect biodiversity.
Among the significant figures addressing the crowds was renowned environmentalist and former Vice President Al Gore, who emphasized the importance of voting and civic engagement as crucial tools for change. “Our voices today must translate into action at the ballot box,” Gore asserted, urging young people to remain politically active.
The presence of numerous youth-led organizations added vibrancy to the march, with many young climate activists drawing attention to how climate change disproportionately affects marginalized communities. Greta Thunberg, the famed teenage climate activist, sent a recorded message, expressing solidarity and encouraging the next generation to continue the fight for a sustainable future.
The march concluded with a rally outside the Capitol Building, where a diverse array of performances and speeches kept the momentum alive. Organizers expressed optimism about the potential for tangible policy shifts and committed to maintaining pressure on lawmakers to enact reforms.
Law enforcement told ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵapp the event was running “peacefully.” Both city officials and organizers praised the cooperation between participants and authorities.
The People’s March in D.C. is part of a broader series of events occurring in various cities nationwide Saturday, highlighting a push for equality and justice. It was organized in part by the.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.