Quick Summary:
• Thousands of protesters gathered in Washington, D.C., and across the U.S. on the eve of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration to oppose his administration’s anticipated policies.
• The “People’s March” brought together diverse advocacy groups championing women’s rights, racial justice, reproductive freedom, environmental issues, and opposition to U.S. foreign policies.
• Grassroots organizations under the banner “We Fight Back 2025” planned over 700 protests nationwide, highlighting solidarity among marginalized groups and systemic change.
• Demonstrators carried messages like “Feminists v. Fascists” and “Love trumps hate” while expressing disillusionment with both political parties.
• Activists emphasized the need for building alternatives outside of existing political structures to challenge systemic inequities under capitalism.
• Concerns about heightened repression and threats to transgender, undocumented, and working-class communities were central to speeches and calls for solidarity.
• The protests also called for a stronger labor movement to serve as a vehicle for systemic change and to counter the incoming administration’s policies.
Thousands of protesters took to the streets across the United States this weekend, rallying against President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration and the anticipated policies of his second term. The demonstrations, branded under the banner “We Fight Back 2025,” spanned more than 700 locations, bringing together activists for women’s rights, racial justice, climate action, and other causes.
While the Women’s March of 2017, following Trump’s first inauguration, drew millions, the scale of this year’s protests was smaller yet equally resolute. Protesters expressed their fears of a government they say threatens democracy and the rights of marginalized communities.
In the nation’s capital, thousands gathered for the “People’s March,” weaving through downtown D.C. in a light rain. Protesters carried signs reading “Feminists v. Fascists” and “People Over Politics,” while vendors sold flags and buttons emblazoned with slogans like “#MeToo” and “Love Trumps Hate.”
Despite the tense political climate, the march was largely peaceful, though anti-abortion activists and a protester wearing a red MAGA hat drew sharp reactions from the crowd. The event culminated near the Lincoln Memorial, where activists from various movements united to voice their opposition.
“A lot of people feel like we’ve been fighting for the same things for so long,” said Olivia Hoffman, 26, who traveled from California with her mother to participate in the march. Hoffman works with the Young Women’s Freedom Center, which supports impoverished women and transgender youth.
Others expressed a mix of determination and despair. “I think we’re doomed,” said Nancy Robinson, a 65-year-old retired printing and tech specialist from Maryland.
Beyond Washington, protests erupted in cities like New York, Miami, and Los Angeles, drawing tens of thousands of participants. In Miami, the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) organized a rally emphasizing solidarity among marginalized groups.
Adam Medina, co-chair of Miami’s DSA chapter, stressed that the protest was not just about rebuking Trump but about building long-term systemic change. “We’re protesting Trump because of the policies that will be perpetuated and [be] awful, and that’ll surely make the lives of working people even worse than they already are,” he said.
Medina also rejected the notion of aligning with the Democratic Party as a solution, saying, “The Democratic Party is just another layer of the capitalist party.” Instead, he called for a stronger labor movement and the creation of alternatives to traditional political institutions.
The protests this year come against a backdrop of heightened political polarization and fear of repression. Organizers noted a shift in the political landscape since Trump’s first term, with many activists now more cautious about the risks of dissent, especially for vulnerable groups like transgender individuals.
Medina highlighted the growing urgency for collective action, stating, “We need to actually build the working class from the weak position that it’s in.”
Protesters rallied around themes that spanned reproductive rights, environmental justice, and opposition to the U.S.’s role in global conflicts, including the Gaza war. Organizers emphasized unity among movements, urging activists to see their struggles as interconnected.
“This is an administration that will no doubt threaten the livelihoods of countless marginalized people that have already suffered greatly,” Medina said, underscoring the stakes of Trump’s second term.
As Trump prepares to take office on Monday, Inauguration Day protests are set to continue, with civil rights leaders and grassroots organizations planning additional rallies. Organizers vowed to maintain pressure on the administration, calling for strikes, demonstrations, and broader coalition-building to counter policies they view as regressive.
For many, the protests were not just a reaction to Trump but a call to action for systemic change. “If you think that you want to effect change, please join DSA,” Medina urged.
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