Over 20 countries see protests on the first day of Trump’s presidency
By Pierangelly Del Rio
A day after Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration, hundreds of thousands of people attended the Women’s March in Washington. The event’s purpose, as stated on the official website, was to manifest peacefully supporting the rights of women, immigrants, LGBTQIA and people of colour among other repressed communities in America, which were “demonized” during President Trump’s 2016 campaign.
The organisers of the march originally expected an attendance of over 200,000 people. However, recent reports show that more than 500,000 united to march. The event, which culminated at Washington’s National Mall, reportedly gathered a bigger crowd than Trump’s inauguration party of an estimated of 250,000 attendees.
The March was not only limited to the American capital, as several cities joined forces including Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta in what resulted the biggest manifestation in the US history, with an estimated of 2.9 million protesters.
Celebrities including Madonna, Emma Watson, Kristen Stuart, Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus, Jake Gyllenhaal, Charlize Theron, Scarlett Johansson, Lin-Manuel Miranda, were among those showing their support.
Ugly Betty actress America Ferrera was one among those who gave a speech rejecting the new president’s discriminatory rhetoric: “He would like us to forget the words ‘Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free'” she said. “(…) and instead take up a credo of hate, fear, and suspicion of one another. But we are gathered here and across the country and around the world today to say, Mr. Trump, we refuse.”
Over 20 countries all over the world also voiced their support for The Women’s March. In Europe, major cities such as Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam, Geneva, Budapest, Prague and Berlin reunited a considerable number of protesters.
In London, several feminists, environmental and anti-racism groups gathered among several bridges in the city including the Waterloo Bridge, London Bridge and Tower Bridge. In the former, a 25-metre banner reading “Build Bridges Not Walls” was dropped in rejection to Trump’s statement to build a wall on the Mexican border.
Protesters marched from Grosvenor Square to Trafalgar Square during London Women’s March. The police eventually blocked access to the square due to the large number of assistants, an estimated of 80,000 to 100,000. The event counted with the participation of London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan and his wife, as well as celebrities including Chris Robshaw and Rebecca Hall.
The president has not yet responded to several manifestations. During a visit to the CIA headquarters in Virginia, Trump failed to acknowledge the marches, instead turning his attention to the press, and claimed they were “shameful” and “dishonest” regarding the reports on the number of people who attended his inauguration.
Featured image and gallery: Truck Festival For almost thirty years, set within the rolling fields of Hill Farm in Steventon, Oxfordshire, Truck Festival has been a cornerstone of the British festival calendar. Dubbed the ‘godfather of the UK’s small festival scene’, the festival continues to live up to that title, with a line-up packed with…
Featured image: American Football – American Football album artwork The debut album has long been treated as a baptism of fire for artists – the deciding factor that determines whether a band will ‘make it’ or not. Some debuts set the tone for what follows: Arctic Monkeys’ Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m…
Featured image and gallery: Lucy Elson-Whittaker Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra come to the Palace Theatre in Manchester to celebrate the release of their new album, Night Blooms. Liverpool-based Brooke Combe opens the evening with a stripped-back set alongside her guitarist, her soulful vocals instantly captivating the crowd. Blending heartfelt performances with quick-witted…
Featured image and gallery: Sally Stretch Three decades after they first emerged in Manchester, Take That return home to the Etihad Stadium and deliver an unforgettable show, combining circus theatrics and crowd-pleasing hits from across their catalogue. Formed in 1990, the group have released multiple chart-topping albums and embarked on numerous world tours, including 2009’s…
Leave a reply