Women’s March Rally in Washington, D.C.
One day after Donald Trump's Presidential Inauguration, millions of Americans took to the streets in protest. Reports of demonstrations came in from 50 states with huge crowds reported in Boston, Chicago, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, New York City, and Pittsburgh.
The crowds in Chicago (250k), DC (500k), and LA (750k) exceeded over 200k people in estimated attendance. From pictures taken of the DC rally, the 500k estimate crowd is seen as a conservative number. Pictures comparing the DC rally and the inauguration show that the protest had a far more robust crowd. International marches and rallies were also held in Cape Town (South Africa), Berlin (Germany), London (England), Paris (France), Sydney (Australia), and a number of other cities around the globe.
The organization responsible for the massive demonstrations is Women's March, who describe their mission as the following:
We stand together in solidarity with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families - recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country.
The rhetoric of the past election cycle has insulted, demonized, and threatened many of us - immigrants of all statuses, Muslims and those of diverse religious faiths, people who identify as LGBTQIA, Native people, Black and Brown people, people with disabilities, survivors of sexual assault - and our communities are hurting and scared. We are confronted with the question of how to move forward in the face of national and international concern and fear.
In the spirit of democracy and honoring the champions of human rights, dignity, and justice who have come before us, we join in diversity to show our presence in numbers too great to ignore. The Women’s March on Washington will send a bold message to our new government on their first day in office, and to the world that women's rights are human rights. We stand together, recognizing that defending the most marginalized among us is defending all of us.
During his run for office, President Trump made several questionable statements concerning ethnic groups and women. Early on he made the comment that all Mexican immigrants coming across the border were "murderers and rapists.”
After winning the Electoral College (President Trump lost the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by nearly three million), Donald Trump stated he would like to employ a Muslim registry, hearkening back to a campaign promise to keep Muslims from entering the country (a promise he would later rescind after receiving political pressure).
President Trump insulted television anchor Megyn Kelly using her sex as a main attacking point. Later in the campaign audio was released of Trump stating that he likes to grab women by the pussy and “move on them like a bitch.”
After winning the Electoral College (President Trump lost the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by nearly three million), Donald Trump stated he would like to employ a Muslim registry, hearkening back to a campaign promise to keep Muslims from entering the country (a promise he would later rescind after receiving political pressure).
The demonstrations against a Trump Presidency extended to civil, environmental, reproductive, and worker rights. Donald Trump's pick for Attorney General, Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) has a history of voting against protecting voting rights and was denied an appointment in the 1980s due to his racist comments he made in the past.
Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, President Trump's EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) nominee has said in the past he doesn't feel the department plays an important role in preserving the environment. Early last week, Pruitt testified that he questions the extent humans play a role in climate change.
President Trump has stated that he wants to appoint Supreme Court Justices who will overturn Roe v Wade; which made abortion legal, leaving the legality of abortions up to the state. The new President has also stated that he wants to do away with as many regulations as possible which could have a negative effect on consumers and workers.
The Women's March had speakers at rallies across the country that spoke of the importance of preserving constitutional, human, and the rights of workers.
Two young girls* being held up during the Women’s March in Washington, D.C.
*The child on the left was later identified as a young boy.
Watch Walter Speak About The Demonstrations:
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