Protests Erupt in Washington DC as Inauguration of Trump Approaches

Demonstrators unite in Washington DC for the People's March, reflecting ongoing resistance to Trump's presidency.

Thousands of protesters, primarily women, flooded the streets of Washington DC on Saturday to voice their opposition to President-elect Donald Trump just two days before his inauguration. Known as the People's March – previously the Women's March – the event has been an annual occurrence since 2017, aimed at confronting what the organizers label as "Trumpism."

The demonstrations coincided with Trump's arrival in the capital for a weekend filled with events leading up to his swearing-in ceremony on Monday. Although the expected turnout was around 50,000, only approximately 5,000 participants gathered this year, reflecting a decrease compared to past events. Participants rallied at three parks before marching to the Lincoln Memorial for the main event.

The coalition behind the march comprises various groups united by "intersecting identities" and a shared agenda on diverse issues, including climate change, immigration, and women’s rights. Protesters shared their motivations for attending, with one demonstrator named Brooke expressing her discontent over abortion rights. "I'm really sad that our country's leaned towards a president that's already failed us once," she stated, lamenting the absence of a female presidential candidate.

Kayla, another participant, voiced her mixed emotions, saying, "Honestly, I'm just mad, I'm sad, I'm overwhelmed." The initial Women's March was sparked by Trump's victory in 2016 over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, leading to a massive turnout the day following his first inauguration. The movement reached millions of women nationwide, donning pink knit "pussy hats" as symbols of resistance.

Although the Women’s March maintained significant visibility throughout Trump's administration, its latest iterations have not matched the scale of the inaugural event. Trump began his inaugural festivities with a private celebration in Virginia on the same day as the march.

Among the demonstrators, a small group of Trump supporters appeared at the Washington Monument. One supporter, Timothy Wallis, observed the protesters with a sense of confusion, noting, "It's sad where we're at as a country." Despite differing views, he acknowledged the right to protest.

Some marchers traveled significant distances to participate, like Susie from the San Francisco area, who attended with her sister Anne. Reminiscing about the previous march in 2017, Susie conveyed the heightened stakes of this year’s gathering. "Trump has been emboldened. He's got the billionaire class and the tech class bowing down," she warned. While Anne noted that some perceive the protesters as disconnected from much of America, she asserted, "We're still here, and we will resist."

Holly Honderich and Alex Lederman contributed to this reporting.