Thousands of protesters gathered in Washington on Saturday, two days before President-elect Donald Trump’s second inauguration, to voice opposition to his policies and the Republican Party.
The rally, known as the “People’s March,” was organized by a coalition of civil rights and social justice groups, including the same organizers behind the Women’s March in 2017, which attracted hundreds of thousands of people to the capital following Trump’s first inauguration.
The streets of downtown Washington were filled with vibrant signs and iconic pink pussy hats, a symbol from the previous Women’s March.
The protesters convened at three different parks before marching to the Lincoln Memorial for a rally.
“These laws endanger our lives. Women are dying,” said Aisha Becker-Burrowes, a demonstrator, as chants of “My body, my choice” echoed around her. “I’m trying to remain hopeful. It feels very good to be surrounded with so many people. I’ll continue the fight back home,” she told AFP, marking her first protest in Washington.
Sarah Kong, a 31-year-old psychiatrist from Colorado, who joined the march with her mother, shared a similar sentiment.
“This is my first time marching. And I want to do this again. I feel motivated, stimulated by all these people. I have faith in the future, even though I’m scared,” she said, emphasizing the significance of the moment.
Sister marches were also organized across the country, including in New York, showing widespread discontent with Trump’s upcoming return to office.
The protest came after Trump’s incoming “border czar” Tom Homan revealed plans for a large-scale immigration raid shortly after the inauguration, where the president intends to take swift action to deport millions of undocumented migrants.
Trump, who won the November election against Vice President Kamala Harris, is set to begin his second term in office.
Later that day, he arrived in Washington to kick off his inauguration celebrations with a private event featuring fireworks at his Virginia golf club.
