The first Women's March was held across many US cities on January 21, 2017, immediately following Trump's inauguration, and was initially conceived as a protest against the newly-elected president and his statements and positions that were perceived by many as anti-women.
That rally in Washington alone gathered about 500,000 people, while, the number of participants across the United States was estimated between three and five million people, which, according to political scientists, made it the largest one-day protest in US history.
Women’s march 2018 https://t.co/KycHYYMl44
— Latina 4 Justice🇺🇸 (@impeach_45NOW) 20 января 2018 г.
2018 Women’s March!!! Rihanna inspired posters!! Via @/ celebslovesrih 😍🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/wQME07H5h6
— Laia Fenty (@laiafenty) 21 января 2018 г.
The recent marches came just hours after the US government's shutdown following the Senate's failure to pass the funding bill over the immigration provisions disagreements, which marred Trump's celebration of his year in office. The activists have taken to the streets in hundreds of US cities, with the major demonstrations having been held in Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York and Washington.
THANK YOU ALL for joining us today!
— Women's March — IN (@WMWIndiana) 21 января 2018 г.
We had an incredible turnout, estimates put us at 4,000 marchers! Your signs and slogans, your energy, and your passion for equality DRIVES this movement! Together, we will #PowerToThePolls in 2018! pic.twitter.com/DMZiKcOj7S
The largest action was held in Los Angeles, gathering about 600,000 women and their male supporters. Another 300,000 activists have taken to the streets in Chicago, while 200,000 others marched in the streets in New York.
Scarlett Johansson at the Women's March in Los Angeles (January 20, 2018) | #WomensMarch2018 pic.twitter.com/wDoI7AFxBc
— Scarlett Johansson Source (@ScarlettJSource) 21 января 2018 г.
A number of celebrities, including actresses Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johannson, Whoopi Goldberg and Eva Longoria have addressed the crowds as a part of the march's events.
Natalie Portman at the Women's March 2017 | 2018 pic.twitter.com/dRXfcg9lw8
— natalie portman (@badpostportman) 21 января 2018 г.
Portman spoke about experiencing "sexual terrorism" at the age of 13 — a fan allegedly sent her his "fantasies" after she had starred in Leon.
Since the year 2017 has brought a series of revelations about the systematic harassment of women, the march's participants called for social and political changes, encouraging women to run for elected office.
Alaskans! Women’s March 2018 on small island of Wrangell, Alaska. @nytimes @NPR Took us 5 min to march through town. We braved a 45 degree climate change winter. 15 marchers, quite a few dogs-a giant husky included-& one bird named Petrie. #WomensMarch2018 #Alaska pic.twitter.com/7S3cJ3ukTe
— VivianFaith Prescott (@planet_alaska) 21 января 2018 г.
Power to the Polls
A separate rally, dimmed Power to the Polls, was held on Sunday in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event launched a national-wide year-long campaign to register new voters to elect more women and progressive candidates to office in November mid-term election.
Show me what America looks like! This is what America looks like. Power to the polls. Great day #WomansMarchDC #BlueTsunami2018 pic.twitter.com/fBClJj869i
— resist (@CoaleAmy) 20 января 2018 г.
According to the action's organizers, the rally's venue has been chosen for a reason as the US State of Nevada is expected to become a swing state in the forthcoming election and to shape the Senate in 2018.
Thank u so much @Alyssa_Milano & for speaking today in Atlanta at "Power to the Polls" rally! We appreciate u leading the blue wave/tsunami @AtlantaMarch pic.twitter.com/jXolohGR41
— Atlantablue (@atlantabohemian) 20 января 2018 г.
The campaign's masterminds intend to register about one million new voters to ensure stronger women's representation in office and to help Democrats win races in the 2018 election.
Trump Replies With Joke
Trump himself commented on the mass gathering across the country with a jest, calling on women to take part in the demonstrations.
Beautiful weather all over our great country, a perfect day for all Women to March. Get out there now to celebrate the historic milestones and unprecedented economic success and wealth creation that has taken place over the last 12 months. Lowest female unemployment in 18 years!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 20 января 2018 г.
Women March Around the Globe
The activists' mass actions have gone beyond the territory of the United States not only to the neighboring Canada and Mexico but also to European countries, Africa, Asia and Australia.
'Grab 'em by the patriarchy' and other signs for change at 2018 #Saskatoon Women's Marchhttps://t.co/4rZ0GIYB0B #yxe #WomensMarch #canada pic.twitter.com/SF4p72AiyB
— Guy Quenneville (@gq_in_sk) 20 января 2018 г.
Thus, women celebrated the Women's March anniversary in Austria Belgium, France, Italy, Germany, Greece, Norway Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
#event | Zoey Deutch photographiée à la Women’s March 2018 hier matin au Pershing Square à Los Angeles #WomensMarch2018 #TimesUp pic.twitter.com/WneaZlXtrm
— Zoey Deutch France (@Zdeutchfrance) 21 января 2018 г.
On the African continent, the movement was supported by women in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda and Zambia.
Women's March Ghana 2018 pic.twitter.com/BxmXMsGnAZ
— Ros Lyn (@rozzyrulz) 21 января 2018 г.
Women in China, Japan, Thailand and in the Philippines have also participated in the event to raise public awareness of a number of pressing issues, including human rights, environment protection, undocumented migrants and to push for inclusive societies.
