World
Protestors took to the streets en masse across the United States, hoisting anti-Donald Trump placards, banging drums and donning pink hats for a second Women's March opposing the president -- one year to the day of his inauguration.
Updated : Jan 21, 2018, 09:04 AM IST
Protesters took to the streets en masse across the United States, hoisting anti-Donald Trump placards, banging drums and donning pink hats for a second Women's March opposing the president -- one year to the day of his inauguration.
Hundreds of thousands of marchers assembled in Washington, New York, Chicago, Denver, Boston, Los Angeles and other cities nationwide, many donning the famous pink knit "pussy hats" -- a reference to Trump's videotaped boasts of his license to grope women without repercussions.
Most women in history to reject one man. #WomensMarch2018 pic.twitter.com/KRa4kZttaB
— Randi Mayem Singer (@rmayemsinger) January 20, 2018
Protestors hoisted signs emblazoned with slogans like "Fight like a girl" and "A woman's place is in the White House" and "Elect a clown, expect a circus."
The Los Angeles mayor said estimated turnout in the city was 500,000, while New York police estimated about 200,000 protesters.
here is my entire “A Story Like Mine” poem from today’s #WomensMarch2018 in NYC tw: rape / assault. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/l3fji73woM
— h (@halsey) January 20, 2018
In Manhattan, a diverse crowd descended on Central Park West, the avenue that borders the city's beloved park and arrives at the foot of the Trump International Hotel -- part of the magnate-turned-commander-in-chief's real estate empire.
Please retweet.
— Women's March (@womensmarch) January 21, 2018
To the thousands of you who took to the streets today: we need your help reaching our goal of getting 1 million people to register to vote in 2018.
Even if you think you're registered, text P2P to RTVOTE (788-683) right now!#WomensMarch2018#PowerToThePolls pic.twitter.com/l01o392qqc
"We live in an alternate universe -- it is so bad," said Althea Fusco, 67, who traveled to the city from upstate New York with two neighbors.
"I see an erosion of democracy," she said.
Austin, TX broke the record for largest gathering in Texas history. #WomensMarch2018 pic.twitter.com/0RHx6s3fGz
— Bishop Talbert Swan (@TalbertSwan) January 20, 2018
Speakers at the New York rally included activist and actress Rosie Perez and entertainer Whoopi Goldberg, who emphasized that "we are here to say -- as women -- we're not taking it anymore."
Throngs of demonstrators paraded in Los Angeles, where actress Natalie Portman was among the celebrities pumping up the crowd: "Because of you the revolution is rolling."
The marches aim to build on the movement launched last year when more than three million people turned out nationwide to voice opposition to Trump.
Over 300,000 marched in Chicago today! #WomensMarch2018 pic.twitter.com/z5UOFvt7S8
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) January 21, 2018
This girl was maybe the most epic part of the #Denver #WomensMarch2018 pic.twitter.com/10oltBwkGU
— Caribbean disaster (@BagalueSunab) January 21, 2018
The weekend of demonstrations is aimed at translating enthusiasm into political action with the theme "Power to the Polls" -- a message designed to drive voter registrations and maximize women's involvement in the 2018 midterm elections.
The president meanwhile posted a deadpan tweet referencing the rallies protesting his policies, urging people to "get out there and celebrate the historic milestones and unprecedented economic success and wealth creation that has taken place over the last 12 months."
Beautiful weather all over our great country, a perfect day for all Women to March. Get out there now to celebrate the historic milestones and unprecedented economic success and wealth creation that has taken place over the last 12 months. Lowest female unemployment in 18 years!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018
Many of the demonstrations indeed took place under sunny skies but marchers in Park City, Utah -- where the annual Sundance Film Festival is underway -- braved chilly temperatures and steady snow to make their voices heard, led by celebrities including activist and actress Jane Fonda.
This year's edition of Sundance took on a political bent in light of the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct, a campaign that has rippled through Hollywood and beyond since scores of actresses leveled sexual assault allegations against disgraced mogul Harvey Weinstein.
Your biggest accomplishment yet, Mr President. Millions of people around the world protesting YOU! 300,000 in Chicago; 200k NYC; several hundreds of thousands in both Philly & So Cal. Most unpopular POTUS ever! Winning! pic.twitter.com/vnEapGu8AR
— keith hall (@kfhall0852) January 21, 2018
Crowds in the North Carolina city of Charlotte heard an address from its first black female mayor, while Washington protestors rallied at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial and marched to the White House, speaking out on a raft of issues ranging from immigrant protections to racial equality to sexual assault.
"We feel like our work isn't done and that there's so much more that we need to fix," said Tanaquil Eltson, 14, who also participated in Washington's 2017 march.
"I know the world around me isn't happy colors; it's scary. But I'm excited to be able to fix it," she said, clad in a red and blue Superwoman outfit.
In Los Angeles authorities estimated upwards of 500,000 demonstrators turned out for the Women's March -- including artist Heather Arndt, who says she wants Donald Trump to "be aware that we are coming together as a powerful force." pic.twitter.com/nrM3Y7IUix
— AFP news agency (@AFP) January 21, 2018
Her mother Vitessa Del Prete, a retired US army lieutenant colonel, pointed to the recent flood of sexual abuse and harassment allegations against powerful men that has galvanized women to fight back against injustice.
"I've lived through decades of sexual harassment issues and it's getting better -- but it's nowhere near where it needs to be," the 51-year-old said, sporting a Wonder Woman costume in coordination with her daughter.
"Issues that face women are just not being represented well enough in our country, so it's a privilege to be able to get out here and try to do something from a citizen standpoint."
"This has been the worst year in our country. We can't believe that we've gone downhill this far, but we're coming back up," says one protester at the National Mall#WomensMarchDC pic.twitter.com/FKRgxCtwV0
— AFP news agency (@AFP) January 20, 2018
More than 300 towns and cities had organized anniversary marches and rallies. Other protests are set for Sunday, notably in Las Vegas, as well as in several European cities including Berlin.
"We cannot rest," said Pam Morris in Washington. "We have to keep energized until we overcome this administration."
"We cannot get worn down. We have to be here."