Women spark worldwide wave of protests against US president
Hundreds of thousands of women filled the streets of major US cities to lead a massive wave of international protests against President Donald Trump, denouncing the new US leader the day after his inauguration.
Women activists, outraged by Trump’s rhetoric and behavior, spearheaded scores of marches in the United States and sympathy rallies around the world on Saturday.
Organizers said they drew nearly 5 million in all, surpassing expectations. The demonstrations also highlighted strong discontent over Trump’s comments and policy positions toward a wide range of groups, including immigrants, Muslims, the disabled and environmentalists.
In contrast to the heated tone of the campaign, and the grim imagery of “American carnage” Trump evoked in his inaugural address, the mood during Saturday’s protests was largely upbeat, even festive.
Many marchers wore knitted, pink cat-eared hats in a reference to Trump’s boast, in a 2005 video made public last year, about grabbing women by the genitals.
Husbands, boyfriends and children also attended. The planned centerpiece of the protests, a Women’s March on Washington, appeared to draw larger crowds than those a day earlier to witness Trump’s swearing-in.
No official numbers were available, but estimates put it at greater than the 200,000 marchers projected in advance by organizers, filling long stretches around the White House and the National Mall.
Hundreds of thousands more women thronged New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Denver and Boston, adding to a public outpouring of mass dissent against Trump unmatched in modern US politics for a new president’s first full day in office.
Organizers estimated 750,000 demonstrators in Los Angeles, one of the largest gatherings. Some 400,000 assembled in New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio said.