Women come out guns blazing

Organisers of Women’s March on Washington were expecting more than 500,000 people to turn out for an orderly show of force

Determined to push back against the new president, thousands of women descended on the capital yesterday for a march aimed at showing Donald Trump they won’t be silent over the next four years.

Organisers of the Women’s March on Washington expected more than 500,000 people to turn out for a more orderly show of force than the chaos created by self-described anarchists who took to the streets on Inauguration Day in a series of clashes that led to more than 200 arrests.

Hours before the women’s event in Washington began, people were streaming into the city, many wearing bright pink hats and wielding signs with messages such as ‘The future is female’ and ‘Less fear more love.’

‘Hurting and scared’

Rena Wilson, of Charlotte, North Carolina, said she hopes the women can send Trump a message that they’re “not going anywhere.”

Joy Rodriguez, of Miami, arrived with her husband, William, and their two daughters, ages 12 and 10. “I want to make sure their rights are not infringed on in these years coming up,” she said.

March organisers said women are “hurting and scared” as the new president takes office and want a greater voice for women in political life.

Retired teacher Linda Lastella, 69, who came from Metuchen, New Jersey, said she had never marched before but felt the need to speak out when “many nations are experiencing this same kind of pullback and hateful, hateful attitudes.”

Many arrived wearing handknit pink “pussyhats” — a message of female empowerment.

The march attracted significant support from celebrities. America Ferrara led the artists’ contingent, and those scheduled to speak in Washington included Scarlett Johansson, Ashley Judd, Melissa Harris-Perry and Michael Moore.