Thousands gather in Washington to protest Trump's inauguration

Several thousand people, mostly women, gathered in Washington on Saturday to protest President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. Many donned pink hats, recalling the larger demonstrations during Trump’s first inauguration in 2017.

Protesters converged at three kickoff locations near the White House for the "People's March", which highlighted issues like gender justice, bodily autonomy, democracy, immigration, and local concerns.

In Franklin Park, demonstrators rallied despite light rain. Mini Timmaraju, head of the advocacy group Reproductive Freedom for All, addressed the crowd.

People attend the "People's March on Washington" ahead of the presidential inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, in Washington, U.S., January 18, 2025.Reuters

“It’s really healing to be here with all of you today in solidarity and togetherness, in the face of what’s going to be some horrible extremism,” she said, leading chants of “We are the majority!”

Nearby, vendors sold #MeToo buttons and “Love trumps hate” flags, while protesters carried signs reading “Feminists v. Fascists” and “People over politics.”

Unlike the massive 2017 protests, Saturday’s demonstrations were smaller. Organizers attributed this to divisions within the U.S. women’s rights movement following Trump’s defeat of Vice President Kamala Harris in November.

Reproductive rights groups joined forces with civil rights, environmental, and women’s organizations to organize the march. Trump, who won all seven battleground states and the popular vote in November, is set to take office Monday.

The march culminated at the Lincoln Memorial, where participants vowed to continue fighting Trump’s agenda and defending abortion rights, democracy, and other key issues.