Instant Insight

30-Second Take

• Thousands of protesters marched to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. to rally against various issues ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
• The march, rebranded as the People’s March, focused on women’s reproductive rights, climate change, and bodily autonomy among other causes.
• Protesters came from across the country, with buses arriving from several states, to demonstrate their opposition to Trump’s policies.

Quick Brief

2-Minute Digest

Essential Context

On January 18, 2025, thousands of activists gathered in Washington D.C. for the People’s March, a rally that converged at the Lincoln Memorial. This event occurred just days before President-elect Donald Trump is set to take office for his second term. The marchers were advocating for several critical issues, including women’s reproductive rights, climate change, and bodily autonomy.

Core Players

• Donald Trump – President-elect of the United States
• Analilia Mejia – Co-Executive Director of Popular Democracy in Action
• Women’s March – Key organizers of the rally
• Seth Drayer – Vice President of Created Equal, a pro-life organization

Key Numbers

• Thousands – Number of protesters marching in Washington D.C.
• 10 states – States from which buses brought protesters (including Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Maine, Ohio, and Rhode Island)
• 350+ – Number of similar marches across the United States
• 50,000 – Expected number of participants, though the actual number was lower

Full Depth

Complete Coverage

The Catalyst

The People’s March was triggered by the impending inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, whose policies on various fronts have been a source of significant controversy. “As Trump assumes the presidency in January, we are gathering to mobilize our collective power and stand against his efforts to roll back our rights and freedoms,” said Analilia Mejia, Co-Executive Director of Popular Democracy in Action.

Inside Forces

The march was organized by several national activist groups, with the Women’s March playing a key role in logistics. The event began with three separate marches starting from Farragut Square, McPherson Square, and Franklin Park, all converging at the Lincoln Memorial for a rally and fair.

Protesters carried signs with various slogans, such as “Save America” and “Against abortions? Then don’t have one.” They also chanted phrases like “All power to the people” and “We will not engage with hate. Hate is nothing but loud ignorance.”

Power Dynamics

The rally highlighted the stark divisions within American society. While the majority of protesters were advocating for progressive causes, there were also counter-protesters present, particularly from pro-life organizations like Created Equal. Seth Drayer, Vice President of Created Equal, stated, “We are here to show what is being celebrated, abortion is being celebrated today.”

Outside Impact

The march and associated rallies across the country reflect broader societal concerns about the direction of the nation under Trump’s second term. Issues such as climate change, reproductive rights, and transgender rights were central to the protests. The event also underscored the ongoing tensions between progressive and conservative groups in the U.S.

Future Forces

Looking ahead, the People’s March sets the stage for continued activism and resistance against policies perceived as regressive. The rebranding of the event as the People’s March aims to broaden its appeal and inclusivity, reflecting a broader coalition of social justice movements. As Rachel O’Leary Carmona, executive director of Women’s March, noted, “Before we do anything about democracy, we have to fight our own despair.”

Data Points

• Jan. 18, 2025 – Date of the People’s March
• Jan. 21, 2025 – Scheduled date for Trump’s inauguration
• 2017 – Year of the first historic Women’s March following Trump’s initial election win
• 500,000+ – Number of marchers at the 2017 Women’s March in Washington D.C.