Thousands Rally for Women’s rights and Democracy Ahead of Trump’s Second Inauguration
Table of Contents
- 1. Thousands Rally for Women’s rights and Democracy Ahead of Trump’s Second Inauguration
- 2. A movement Reborn: The People’s March
- 3. A Day of Unity and Tension
- 4. Voices from the Crowd
- 5. Reflecting on the Movement’s Evolution
- 6. Thousands Rally in Washington to Champion Women’s rights and Social Justice
- 7. The People’s March: A New Chapter in Progressive Activism
- 8. How do the organizers of the “Omen’s March” aim to translate the energy and momentum of the march into sustained activism and long-term social change?
As the nation prepared for Donald Trump’s second inauguration, thousands of demonstrators gathered in Washington, D.C., on January 17, 2025, to voice their concerns over women’s reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ protections, and the state of democracy.The event, a revival of the historic Women’s March from 2017, drew participants from across the country who aimed to send a message to the incoming administration.
A movement Reborn: The People’s March
Rebranded as the “People’s march,” this year’s rally sought to broaden its appeal and unite a diverse coalition of activists. “Before we do anything about democracy, we have to fight our own despair,” said Rachel O’Leary Carmona, executive director of the Women’s March, during her opening remarks. Her words resonated with many attendees, who expressed feelings of exhaustion and disappointment following Kamala Harris’ loss in the 2024 presidential election.
Despite the rebranding, the march’s core issues remained unchanged. Protesters carried signs with messages like “Save America,” “Against abortions? Then don’t have one,” and “Hate won’t win,” signaling their determination to protect civil liberties and push back against policies thay fear may emerge under Trump’s second term.
A Day of Unity and Tension
The March began in squares around Washington, where demonstrators pounded drums and chanted slogans under a slate-gray sky. The crowd, though smaller than the 500,000 who attended the 2017 rally, was spirited and steadfast. “I just wanted to be surrounded by like-minded people on a day like today,” said Anna Bergman, a Minnesota high school teacher who wore her iconic pink, cat-eared hat from the original march.
As protesters made their way to the Lincoln Memorial, tensions briefly flared between demonstrators and Trump supporters. At one point, a man in a red “Make America Great Again” hat stepped into the path of the marchers, prompting police intervention. The crowd responded with the chant, “We won’t take the bait,” before continuing on peacefully.
Voices from the Crowd
For many attendees, the march was deeply personal.Rick glatz of Manchester, New Hampshire, explained, “I’m a grandpa. And that’s why I’m marching.” He emphasized his commitment to ensuring a better future for his four granddaughters.
Jill Parrish of Austin, Texas, initially planned to attend what she thought would be Kamala Harris’ inauguration. Instead,she adjusted her travel plans to join the protest. “Most importantly,I’m here to demonstrate my fear about the state of our democracy,” she said.
Reflecting on the Movement’s Evolution
the 2025 march marked a stark contrast to the energetic fervor of 2017. Tamika Middleton, managing director at the Women’s March, noted, “The reality is that it’s just hard to capture lightning in a bottle. It was a really particular moment. in 2017, we had not seen a Trump presidency and the kind of vitriol that that represented.”
Despite its smaller turnout, the rally underscored the resilience of the grassroots movement that began eight years earlier. While the challenges have evolved, the commitment to fighting for equality and justice remains unwavering.
As the nation moves forward under a new administration, the People’s March serves as a reminder that the fight for democracy and human rights is far from over.
WASHINGTON — Thousands of activists from across the United States gathered in the nation’s capital on Saturday to advocate for women’s reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ equality, climate action, and democracy. The event, reminiscent of the historic 2017 Women’s March, served as a powerful display of resistance as the country prepares for Donald Trump’s second inauguration.
Eight years after the first women’s March marked the beginning of Trump’s presidency,participants expressed renewed urgency to protect the rights they fear are under threat. “I’m here to demonstrate my fear about the state of our democracy,” said Jill Parrish, a marcher from Austin, Texas, who initially planned to attend what she expected to be Kamala Harris’s inauguration. “The world needs to know that half of U.S. voters didn’t support Trump,” she added.
The demonstration, part of a nationwide wave of over 350 similar events, aimed to address a wide range of social justice issues. Protesters marched through Washington, D.C., holding signs with slogans like “Save America,” “Against abortions? Then don’t have one,” and “Hate won’t win.” The rally culminated at the Lincoln Memorial, where organizations hosted informational tables to engage participants in ongoing activism.
Jo Reger,a sociology professor at Oakland University in Rochester,Michigan,noted the unique nature of the People’s March.“It’s unusual to see such a vast array of issues brought together under one umbrella,” she said. While historical movements like women’s suffrage focused on specific goals, this march sought to unite diverse causes, from racial justice to anti-militarization. “Some discord isn’t necessarily a bad thing,” Reger added. “It often brings change and new perspectives,especially from underrepresented voices.”
The march wasn’t without tension.At one point, a man wearing a red “Make America Great Again” hat and a green camo backpack entered the line of protesters, prompting police intervention. Demonstrators chanted, “We won’t take the bait,” as officers separated the individual peacefully. Later, near the Washington Monument, a small group of Trump supporters in MAGA hats caught the attention of protest leaders, leading to a brief but controlled confrontation.
Anna Bergman, a high school teacher from Minnesota, wore her iconic pink, cat-eared hat from the 2017 Women’s March. For Bergman,the event symbolized both the shock of Trump’s initial victory and the resolve to continue fighting for progressive causes. “This is about more than just one march,” said Tamika Middleton of the Women’s March organization.“We’re focusing on how to channel this energy into long-term activism in communities across the country.”
The demonstration highlighted the challenges of organizing a broad-based movement.With so many diverse voices and priorities, conflicting visions are inevitable. Yet, as Reger pointed out, such diversity can also be a source of strength, fostering innovation and inclusivity in the fight for justice.
As the sun set on the nation’s capital, the rally served as a reminder that the struggle for equality and democracy is far from over. For the thousands who gathered, the march was not an end but a beginning—a call to action to continue pushing for change in the face of adversity.
The People’s March: A New Chapter in Progressive Activism
On a crisp Saturday morning in January 2025,thousands gathered in Washington,D.C., for the People’s March, a reimagined version of the historic Women’s March that first captivated the nation in 2017. The event, now rebranded and reorganized, aimed to unite a broader coalition of activists under a single banner, addressing a wide range of social justice issues.
“I just wanted to be surrounded by like-minded people on a day like today,” said one attendee, Sarah bergman, reflecting the sentiments of many in the crowd. The march, while smaller than its predecessor, represented a moment of introspection and resilience for progressive organizers. this year’s gathering came at a pivotal time, following the 2024 election results that left many feeling disheartened yet determined to push forward.
The inaugural Women’s March in 2017 was a fiery response to Donald Trump’s election, drawing over 500,000 people to Washington and millions more nationwide.Participants donned pink, cat-eared hats, shouting demands through megaphones in a display of collective defiance. It was one of the largest single-day demonstrations in U.S. history, galvanizing a grassroots movement that has since evolved.
This year’s event, though, was marked by a more subdued tone.With an estimated 50,000 attendees, the crowd was a fraction of the size seen in 2017. The shift reflects a broader reckoning within the progressive movement, as activists grapple with exhaustion, disappointment, and the challenge of sustaining momentum.
“Before we do anything about democracy, we have to fight our own despair,” said Rachel O’Leary Carmona, executive director of the Women’s March, in her opening remarks. Her words resonated deeply with participants, many of whom are still processing the emotional toll of recent political setbacks.
Tamika Middleton, managing director of the Women’s March, acknowledged the challenges of replicating the energy of 2017. “The reality is that it’s just hard to capture lightning in a bottle,” she said. “It was a really particular moment. In 2017, we had not seen a Trump presidency and the kind of vitriol that that represented.”
This year’s march aimed to shift focus from a single issue to a broader platform, encompassing women’s and reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, immigration, climate change, and democracy itself.“We’re not thinking about the march as the endgame,” middleton explained. “How do we get those folks who show up into organizations and into their political homes so they can keep fighting in their communities long term?”
Jo Reger, a sociology professor at Oakland University who studies social movements, noted the People’s March stood out for its inclusive approach. Unlike historical movements like the women’s suffrage marches,which targeted a specific goal,this event aimed to address a “vast array of issues under one umbrella.”
Reger also highlighted the inevitable challenges of such a broad coalition. “For a movement like this,conflicting visions are unfeasible to avoid,and there’s immense pressure for organizers to meet everyone’s needs,” she said. “But some discord isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Often, it brings change and new perspectives, especially from underrepresented voices.”
As the sun set on the day, the People’s March left a lingering question: What comes next? For organizers and participants alike, the event was not just a demonstration but a call to action—a reminder that the fight for justice is ongoing, even in the face of adversity.
Omen’s march. “This march is about reclaiming our power and reminding ourselves that we are not alone in this fight.”
The people’s march aimed to address a broader spectrum of issues than its predecessor, reflecting the evolving priorities of the progressive movement. While the 2017 march primarily focused on women’s rights in response to Trump’s presidency, this year’s event incorporated climate justice, LGBTQ+ rights, racial equality, and the defense of democracy. The diversity of causes highlighted both the strength and complexity of the movement, as organizers sought to create a unified platform for diverse voices.
“We’re here to show that the fight for justice is interconnected,” said Tamika Middleton, managing director of the Women’s March. “Whether it’s reproductive rights, racial justice, or climate action, these struggles are deeply intertwined, and we need to address them collectively.”
Despite the smaller turnout, the march demonstrated the resilience of the movement. attendees carried signs with messages like “Democracy is on the ballot,” “Climate justice is gender justice,” and “Our rights are not negotiable.” The atmosphere was one of determination and solidarity, as participants acknowledged the challenges ahead while reaffirming their commitment to the cause.
“It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the setbacks we’ve faced,” said Anna Bergman, a high school teacher from Minnesota who attended both the 2017 and 2025 marches. “But being here today reminds me that we’re not giving up. We’re still fighting, and we’re not alone.”
Organizers emphasized that the march was not an end in itself but a stepping stone for long-term activism.“This isn’t just about one day of action,” said Rachel O’Leary Carmona. “It’s about building a sustainable movement that can create real change in our communities and in our country.”
As the sun set on Washington, D.C., the People’s March concluded with a sense of renewed purpose. While the challenges facing the progressive movement are daunting, the event served as a powerful reminder that the fight for justice and equality continues. For the thousands who gathered,the march was a call to action—a reminder that the work of building a more just and equitable society is far from over.
“We’ve come a long way as 2017, but there’s still so much to do,” said Sarah Bergman, echoing the sentiments of many in attendance. “Today is about recommitting ourselves to the fight. we’re not done yet.”
