This is concerning sign.
Thousands of protesters, mostly women, gathered in Washington, D.C., to rally against President-elect Trump’s inauguration, though their turnout was significantly smaller compared to the massive crowds that showed up for the “Women’s March” in 2017. This year’s march, rebranded as the “People’s March,” was spread across three different locations, with demonstrators voicing a variety of left-wing concerns, including issues related to “gender justice,” bodily autonomy, and other progressive causes.
The day’s events began in Franklin Park, where speakers rallied the crowd with rhetoric about solidarity in the face of “extremism.” Mini Timmaraju, the head of Reproductive Freedom for All, kicked off the event with a speech emphasizing unity against what they perceived as growing conservatism. The protesters then marched downtown, culminating in a gathering at the Lincoln Memorial.
At various locations near the White House, smaller groups rallied on different issues. One group focused on immigration and democracy, while another pushed for local Washington D.C. concerns. Vendors were seen selling march-themed merchandise, including buttons with slogans like “#MeToo” and “Love Trumps Hate,” along with “People’s March” flags for $10. Some protesters carried signs reading “Feminists v. Fascists” and “People over Politics,” showing the continued divide between liberal activists and conservatives.
One attendee, Lillian Fenske from Greensboro, North Carolina, shared her frustrations with the state of the nation, carrying signs that criticized the influence of oligarchs and the country’s political divide, with messages like “America is not for sale” and “Divided We Fall.” Despite the heavy police presence, law enforcement anticipated a peaceful event, unlike the violent protests seen during Trump’s inauguration in 2017, when demonstrators caused widespread property damage and over 200 people were arrested.
While enthusiasm for anti-Trump protests seems to have faded since 2017, when high-profile celebrities and activists led massive demonstrations, the ongoing “resistance” movement remains alive. However, many on the left are now feeling fatigued after Trump’s overwhelming victory in 2020, where he secured both the popular vote and the Electoral College, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris.
As the nation braces for Inauguration Day, President-elect Trump’s schedule is more subdued. He will leave Mar-a-Lago and head to Washington. On Sunday, Trump will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery and later speak at a “Make America Great Again” rally, before enjoying a candlelit dinner. Monday’s swearing-in ceremony, set to take place indoors due to frigid temperatures, will mark the beginning of his second term, alongside Vice President-elect J.D. Vance.