On Saturday, January 18, thousands of people from as far as the West Coast gathered in three separate locations to walk through the streets of Washington D.C. in sub-freezing temperatures. They called themselves the People’s March; the name has roots in the 2017 Women’s March, which drew over 400,000 participants to the nation’s capital to protest the first Trump administration. The Women’s March sponsored the People’s March this year along with other non-profit organizations.
“The People’s March is an activation,” said Tiffany Flowers, board member of the Women’s March and campaign director of The Frontline, a coalition of organizations that work on social, economic, and racial justice. “It’s really important for people to feel not only a sense of community but an opportunity and a clear path on how to get plugged into organizations.”
The People’s March focused on what they considered issues related to access to abortion; democracy, protecting immigrants, preventing climate change, the LGTBQ community, and racial justice.
Another common message shared during the march is opposition to the second Trump term.
It had been expected over 50,000 participants would attend the People’s March, however, the crowd was smaller.
“I’ve never seen the kind of danger that we’re in as a society now,” said Jon Weiss, a long-time follower of politics and march participant. “Trump has destroyed the norms of political discourse in this country and it’s causing lots of problems and we’re in danger of falling into an oligarchy.”
Many, like Weiss, say they are worried and express frustration that the Trump administration will implement policies from Project 2025, a conservative policy wishlist for the nation, bwill divide the country and bring fascism.
“I believe in working to elect people that support trans people, support Palestine, support the environment,” said Susan Woehlre, another participant from Minnesota, “But if you can’t win through the ballot, create the change you want yourself.”
Participant of the People’s March heckling people wearing MAGA hats. Photo by: Alejandra Bendana
As the crowd marched, police officers and visitors wearing MAGA hats were heckled by march participants.
A retired kindergarten teacher from Alabama who would give her name only as Vicky, wearing a MAGA hat said she had no idea the People’s March was occurring and felt scared by the march participants’ attitude.
Anti-abortion protestors followed the People’s March to the Lincoln Memorial. “Today is a celebration for abortion, Seth Drayer, vice-president of the Created Equal, a pro-life organization based in Ohio,” said Seth Drayer, vice-president of Created Equal, a pro-life organization based in Ohio, “They leave out pre-born humans, they’re clearly humans like us and abortion clearly kills them and that’s not right.”
Protestors holding signs against the second Trump term Photo by: Alejandra Bendana
Time magazine reported that many participants from Saturday’s march felt hopeless and defeated. However, they were comforted by the sight of other protestors, knowing they were not alone. “I feel lost and defeated,” Esther Vogelzang, a mental health therapist from Minnesota, told the magazine. “I was worrried people wouldn’t show up, but it turns out I am not alone.”
And while President Trump said he aims to unify the United States, Flowers, the Woman’s March board member said marchers want to demonstrate that they are all united against the MAGA movement and show they will not back down for the next four years.
“We’re strong and we’re going to stay together and hold our communities down in the face of whatever is coming our way.”
