Two days prior to Trump’s inauguration, on Jan. 18, the People’s March took place in Washington, D.C. Organizers anticipated an attendance of around 50,000 participants, though law enforcement on scene estimated the number was between 5,000 and 10,000.

The rally commenced with a spirited procession heading toward the iconic Lincoln Memorial. A large stage was set up at the base of the steps, framed against the imposing figure of Abraham Lincoln as if he were watching over the demonstrators. The crowd expanded along both sides of the Reflecting Pool, the serene body of water that stretches from the Lincoln Memorial to the towering Washington Monument.

Across the expanse, a sea of colorful handmade signs rose high into the air, each one reflecting the passions and demands of the protesters. Slogans such as “Girls just wanna have fundamental rights,” “Bans off our bodies,” “Day one deport Trump back to Germany,” and “We will not go quietly into the night” echoed the urgency of their message. The People’s March attendees represented a wide range of progressive causes, from immigration to climate change, abortion rights and the war between Israel and Gaza.  

The People’s March Event website provided an overview for individuals eager to participate in the protest against the inauguration of Donald Trump. It included details about the rally’s location, schedule, and agenda, as well as guidance on how to join and engage effectively in this significant demonstration. The website states, 

“If you believe that decisions about your body should remain yours, that books belong in libraries, not on bonfires, that healthcare is a right, not a privilege for the wealthy; if you believe in the power of free speech and protest to sustain democracy; or if you want an economy that works for the people who power it—then this march is for you.

The People’s March is about one thing: our power.

It’s a bold demonstration of the resilience of resistance: 

We march to unite the people who’ve been the backbone of resistance for generations and to welcome even more. We march to remind civil servants they answer to us. We march to inspire, energize, and drive change long after the day is done.

This is our moment to remind Washington elites and Americans everywhere where the power truly lives: with the people.

Let’s make it count.”

One of the speakers, Raquel Willis, co-founder of the Gender Liberation Movement spoke to the crowd, reiterating some of the shared values behind the protest. 

“We are a collective that believes in bodily autonomy, self-determination, and the pursuit of fulfillment for all,” Willis said. “And we know we can get that without the collective. So it’s midnight in America, ya’ll. Every bogeyman you can think of, from white supremacy to patriarchy to transphobia to ableism and capitalism, is coming together to try and make our lives smaller.”