Millions Join Women’s March
January 24, 2017
On Saturday, January 21, more than 3 million people in hundreds of cities throughout the United States and the rest of the world participated in the “Women’s March” protesting the often-divisive policies and comments of new U.S. President Donald Trump. In the United States, the marches were principally in support of women’s rights but also included appeals to protect health care and the rights of immigrants, LGBT citizens, and Muslims. The majority of the millions who joined the marches were women, but the crowds included large percentages of men and children as well.
The Women’s March on Washington took place on Jan. 21, 2017. Attracting more than 500,000 people, it was one of the largest demonstrations in the U.S. capital’s history. The Washington, D.C., march also inspired “sister marches” for women’s rights worldwide. Credit: Mark Dixon (licensed under CC BY 2.0)
The planning of an original protest, the Women’s March on Washington, blossomed into a worldwide movement as “sister” marches for solidarity were organized in such U.S. cities as New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Boston, Atlanta, and Seattle. Protests also took place throughout Canada and Mexico and in such world cities as Paris, Berlin, London, Prague, Cape Town, Tokyo, and Sydney. Marches took place as far away as New Zealand and in the small African republic of Malawi—even on an expedition ship in Antarctica.
The original Washington, D.C., rally attracted over 500,000 people—many more than Trump’s inauguration drew the day before. One of the largest demonstrations in the capital’s history, the women’s march was also largely peaceful, with no arrests reported. A common chant directed at the new president was “Welcome to your first day. We will not go away!” In Chicago, where 250,000 marchers showed up, people chanted, “This is what democracy looks like!” The women’s march in Los Angeles was the largest of the bunch, with 750,000 people attending.
Aside from protesting, marching, and chanting, some events also featured programs of music and speakers. Women’s rights icon Gloria Steinem, filmmaker Michael Moore, singer Madonna, and actress Scarlett Johansson spoke at the Washington, D.C., rally, and cast members from the popular musical Hamilton performed at the rally in Chicago.
Trump, who was inaugurated as the 45th president of the United States on January 20, has made numerous controversial comments about women, immigrants, and others. Trump and the Republican-dominated U.S. Congress have said they plan to cut off funding for Planned Parenthood and repeal the Affordable Care Act—moves that would limit, reduce, or remove health care coverage and services for many women and millions of other Americans. Trump and the Republicans are also taking aim at legislation and executive orders that protect such things as LGBT rights, consumers’ rights, and the natural environment.
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