As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office for a second term, protests are being organized across the country. Activists and liberal groups are rallying to oppose Trump’s policies and his return to the White House. Demonstrations are planned in Washington, D.C., and many cities nationwide, echoing the large protests that followed Trump’s first inauguration in 2017.
The biggest event, the People’s March, will take place on Saturday in Washington. Participants will focus on issues like immigration, women’s rights, and climate change. Protesters will march from three starting points, each highlighting a specific issue, and gather at the Lincoln Memorial for a rally. Organizers say the event is not just about the march itself but about inspiring people to stay involved in activism.
“This is just the beginning,” said Tamika Middleton, managing director of the Women’s March, which is helping organize the event. “We want to build networks and communities that can respond to challenges over the next four years.”
The People’s March is expected to attract tens of thousands of participants, with over 350 similar events planned in other cities across the U.S., from New York to small towns in Texas. Organizers hope the protests will bring people together and encourage long-term engagement.
On Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, more protests are planned. The National Action Network, led by Rev. Al Sharpton, will host a march in Washington. Participants will walk from McPherson Square to the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church. Sharpton said the event is a stand against the incoming administration’s stance on affirmative action, abortion rights, and diversity.
Another major protest will be led by the ANSWER Coalition, known for its anti-war activism. They have organized rallies in 80 cities, including Los Angeles, Chicago, and Pittsburgh. In Washington, their march will end near the White House at Black Lives Matter Plaza.
“This isn’t just a protest against Trump,” said activist Andy Thayer, who is helping organize the Chicago rally. “Both political parties are part of the problem, and people are frustrated.”
While the 2017 protests saw an estimated 2.3 million people participate nationwide, it’s unclear if the upcoming demonstrations will reach that scale. Washington police chief Pamela Smith said the People’s March is expected to draw around 25,000 people, but organizers claim to have received 50,000 RSVPs.
Conservative groups are also planning events in Washington. A Trump “victory rally” is scheduled for Sunday at Capital One Arena, where supporters will celebrate his re-election.
For many protesters, these events are about expressing solidarity and fighting for a better future. “At the end of the day, we’re all people,” said activist Felicia Gambino, who plans to join the New York People’s March. “We deserve a country that we can believe in and look forward to.”
As Trump prepares for his inauguration, the protests show the deep divisions in American politics. Whether these demonstrations will lead to lasting change remains to be seen, but they reflect the determination of many Americans to make their voices heard.
