Special Poll
Rallying for Rights: The People’s March Draws Thousands to D.C. Ahead of Trump’s Second Inauguration
On a chilly Saturday in the nation’s capital, thousands gathered to advocate for women’s reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ equality, climate action, and other causes they feel are at risk under President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration. The event, now known as the People’s March, comes just days before Trump’s second inauguration, reprising the energy of the historic Women’s March held eight years earlier at the start of Trump’s first term.
Back then, the Women’s March marked a moment of widespread anger and shock among progressives and moderates over Trump’s election. This year, participants say they are determined to show continued support for key issues while confronting the challenges of maintaining momentum in a new political landscape.
Jill Parrish from Austin, Texas, is one such marcher. She had originally planned to attend what she hoped would be Vice President Kamala Harris’s inauguration but changed her plans after Trump’s victory. “I’m here to show the world that half of U.S. voters didn’t support Trump and to express my fears about the state of our democracy,” Parrish said.
Under overcast skies, marchers pounded drums, chanted slogans, and carried signs with messages such as “Save America,” “Against abortions? Then don’t have one,” and “Hate won’t win.” For Anna Bergman, a teacher from Minnesota, the event was a chance to reconnect with others who share her concerns. Wearing the pink hat she donned at the 2017 Women’s March, she noted, “With Trump coming back, I just wanted to be surrounded by likeminded people.”
Rick Glatz, a grandfather from New Hampshire, attended the march for his four granddaughters. “That’s why I’m here—because their future matters,” he said.
The event has been rebranded as the People’s March, an effort to broaden its appeal and reflect a more inclusive approach to progressive organizing. This shift comes after the Women’s March faced criticism in earlier years for not adequately representing diverse voices. Tamika Middleton, managing director of the Women’s March, emphasized that this year’s goal is not to replicate the massive turnout of 2017 but to focus on fostering long-term political engagement.
Instead of centering the march solely on Trump, the organizers have aimed to highlight a range of issues, including feminism, racial justice, immigration, and democracy. The march concluded with discussions led by various social justice groups, encouraging participants to stay involved beyond the demonstration.
Jo Reger, a sociologist who studies social movements, praised the march’s inclusive approach, noting that diverse perspectives can strengthen advocacy efforts. “While conflicting visions are inevitable in broad movements, they often bring about necessary change and amplify underrepresented voices,” Reger said.
Middleton sees the march as a step toward sustained activism. “This isn’t the endgame,” she explained. “The goal is to help people find their political homes and keep fighting in their communities for the long haul.”