Thousands of left-wing demonstrators descend on Washington to protest Trump’s inauguration

Thousands of mostly female demonstrators descended on Washington, DC on Monday to protest the inauguration of President Trump. However, the crowd is only a tenth of the half million who showed up for the “Women’s March” in 2017.

Saturday’s march, which has been renamed the People’s March, will take place at three different locations. The demonstrators support a wide range of left-wing causes and demonstrate a united front against the new government.

This morning, a kickoff rally for “gender justice” and bodily autonomy was held in Franklin Park, and then protesters walked through downtown before making their way to the Lincoln Memorial, where the main event of the day took place.

Protesters participate in the People’s March on Washington on January 18, 2025 in Washington, DC. Two days before the presidential inauguration, activists gathered against the political goals of the new Trump administration. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

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“It is truly healing to be with all of you today in solidarity and togetherness in the face of truly terrible extremism,” Mini Timmaraju, head of the advocacy group Reproductive Freedom for All, told the crowd at the start of the event.

Other protesters gathered in two other parks, also near the White House. One group focused on democracy and immigration and another on local Washington issues.

Vendors sold buttons reading “#MeToo” and “Love Trumps Hate” and sold People’s March flags for $10. Demonstrators carried placards that read “Feminists vs. Fascists” and “People over Politics.”

Lillian Fenske, 31, drove six hours from Greensboro, North Carolina, to attend. Their signs expressed concern about the oligarchs and disunity. “America is not for sale,” said one, while another simply said, “Divided we fall.”

Protesters representing various rights groups participate in the People’s March on Washington in Washington, DC on January 18, 2025. Two days before the presidential inauguration, activists gathered against the political goals of the new Trump administration. (Bryan Woolston/Getty Images)

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There is a heavy police presence, although law enforcement does not expect a repeat of the violent scenes seen across the city before Inauguration Day in 2017, when protesters smashed glass facades and set cars on fire and police attacked during demonstrations lasted several weeks and arrested more than 200 people over several days.

The enthusiasm behind the so-called resistance movement against Trump has waned somewhat, with many progressive voters expressing feelings of exhaustion and disappointment following Trump’s landslide victory in November. He dominated both the Electoral College and the popular vote, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris after a historic campaign cycle.

Animated pro-choice and climate protesters hold signs at the march. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

The 2017 Women’s March took place the day after Trump’s inauguration. Celebrities such as America Ferrera, Madonna, Ashley Judd, Cher, Katy Perry, Amy Schumer, Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore, Michael Moore, Debra Messing, Patricia Arquette and others attended the march.

President-elect Trump is expected to leave Mar-a-Lago later today and head to Washington.

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Trump’s aides have not detailed how he will spend the first part of the day, and the only public event on Trump’s schedule is an evening reception and fireworks display at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia.

President-elect Trump delivers his inaugural address on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

On Sunday there will be a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery and a “Make America Great Again” rally where Trump will give his speech, followed by a candlelight dinner.

Monday is Inauguration Day, when Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance will attend the swearing-in ceremony, which has been moved indoors due to forecast cold temperatures.

Brooke Singman of Fox News, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.