Brittany Martinez, from Jacksonville, Florida, traveled to Washington with friends and their mothers to join a protest for women’s rights and immigration. The group was part of a larger crowd waiting for the People’s March, the largest anti-Donald Trump protest before his inauguration. Martinez, holding a sign that read “Public cervix announcement. My body, my choice,” expressed frustration over the lack of influence on issues such as women’s rights and immigration.
The march attracted thousands of people, many wearing pink knitted hats, scarves with the Planned Parenthood logo, or gear supporting Kamala Harris. Some participants carried creative signs like “pizza rolls not gender rolls” and “feminists Trump fascists.” The event was part of a broader movement, with marches in different parks in downtown Washington focusing on issues like immigration, abortion rights, and climate change. The goal was to engage people with various causes, connecting them to issues they care about.
The event drew comparisons to the historic 2017 Women’s March, which had millions of protesters across the U.S. and abroad following Trump’s inauguration. Tamika Middleton, managing director of the Women’s March, emphasized that while they didn’t aim to replicate the 2017 march, the intention was to foster long-term engagement in activism.
The march, stretching over five city blocks, took place just before a snowstorm and cold snap hit the area. Volunteers provided hand warmers and granola bars. Despite the cold and rain, few Trump supporters showed up to confront the protesters.
For many attendees, like Joan Snowdon, who traveled from Boston, the march was an opportunity to reuse their suffragette-style sashes from 2017, which she felt were still relevant. Others, like Deb Caldwell from Michigan, felt compelled to continue fighting for women’s rights and against oppression, particularly for the sake of future generations. Sarah Wood, a first-time marcher from Philadelphia, expressed anger and concern about the future under the new administration.
Kim Irish, who regretted missing the 2017 march, brought her daughter to the event, while Jackie Greto from Philadelphia made a long trip to the march to ensure her participation this time. Many protesters reflected on the importance of continuing the fight for women’s rights, inspired by their mothers and grandmothers who had fought for similar causes.
The People’s March was part of a global wave, with similar marches in over 350 U.S. cities and several foreign countries. In New York, the rally focused on policy expectations and the progress made, rather than solely on Trump’s accusations.
