On Saturday, streets were flooded with pink hats and feminist posts. The day after Trump’s Inauguration, hundreds of people participated in The Women’s March. This time, feminist included men and women who gathered in the rally following the spirit of unity and equity.
Washington DC was the place of the main event drawing over half a million demonstrators. Crowds joined DC across the country, with over 400 marches planned in the US. Rallies took place in cities such as Nashville, Phoenix, Atlanta, St. Paul and Denver. Other major events were held in LA, NYC, Chicago, and Boston, where there were over 100k demonstrators.
The Women’s March.
The event that started as a Facebook post evolved into a magnificent demonstration of people’s unity and consciousness. After learning the 2016 election results Teresa Shook, a Hawai resident, invited 40 of her friends to march on Washington. The next day she woke up and realized there were more than 10k people interested in joining the group and marching.
So the Facebook event started taking shape, and soon enough the event evolved into a movement. The movement’s founders include Bob Bland, Carmen Perez, and Linda Sarsour. They organized the rally as a reaction to Trump’s campaign rhetoric. They thought the demonstration would be a good way to stand on social issues and human rights, considering Trump’s rhetoric divisive, misogynistic and racist.
As the movement states on its website Women’s March,” We stand together in solidarity with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families – recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country.”
The movement sought to promote women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, civil rights, as well as address issues such as racial inequities and environmental issues. Even when many demonstrators targeted Donald Trump or were marching for political issues, the event was not an anti-Trump event but more about being proactive about this social issues.
Washington DC, the main event.
Over a million demonstrators gathered in the city for the event, which was live-streamed via Facebook and Twitter. Activists, artists, and personalities addressed the crowd that was gathered near the Capitol.
Janelle Monae spoke to the crowd about the issue of police violence, actress Ashley Judd delivered a speech about Trump’s using his status to force women, feminist icon Gloria Steinem encouraged women to work together. America Ferrara spoke about her experience as an immigrant woman, while Scarlett Johansson addressed the issue of the political climate and the need to work together for the country.
Madonna delivered a powerful speech, which is like the 2.0 version of her Billboard speech. Also on stage participated Michael Moore, Alicia Keys, Zendaya, Amy Schumer, and Sophia Bush. As part of the protesting crowd were snapped Jason Sudeikis and his wife Olivia Wilde, Melissa Benoist, Chloe Grace Moretz, Jessica Chastain, Emma Watson, Marisa Tomei, Halsey, and Cher.
Alicia Keys
Amy Schumer
Halsey
Sophia Bush with Gloria Steinem
Zendaya
Melissa Benoist
Scarlett Johansson
Janelle Monae
Madonna
LA was also pretty moved.
In Los Angeles, the demonstration took place in downtown LA. People flooded the streets from Pershing Square to City Hall. An estimated of 500k people attended the rally. Artists were also snapped at the place big names such as Miley Cyrus, HAIM, James Franco, Demi Lovato, Mandy Moore and Kerry Washington. Natalie Portman, Barbra Streisand, and Mayor Eric Garcetti took turns in a stage at Grand Park to speak to the crowds.
Natalie Portman and Kerry Washington
Miley Cyrus
HAIM
Demi Lovato
Katy Perry
Mandy Moore and Jane Fonda
NYC said present!
The NY demonstration included a trip to Trump Tower, which was well barricaded. The demonstration gathered over 400k people wearing pink hats and with the most originals protest signs. Personalities addressed the crowds such as the City First Lady Chirlane McCray, former Sex And the City Cynthia Nixon, and Helen Mirren, who proclaimed herself as a New Yorker. In the crowds were also spotted, Yoko Ono and Rihanna.
Yoko Ono
Rihanna
Chelsea Handler, Charlize Theron, and John Legend were snapped at Park City’s demonstration.
And Ian McKellen took the streets of London like a legend.
Source: Billboard