Thousands gather at Washington march as Trump prepares for inauguration

BBC.com

With two days before Trump returns – it’s protests over, merch out Emily Atkinson Live editor, in Washington DC Thousands of people descended on the US capital today in a wide-ranging show of resistance to the policies of the incoming Trump administration.
On Monday, Donald Trump will reclaim the Oval Office for his second term as president of the United States.
One protestor, Matthew, spent 13 hours on a flight to ensure he could make it to the nation’s capital today.
‘People are exhausted’ Holly Honderich Reporting from Washington DC Tamika Middleton, managing director of the Women’s March, knows many anti-Trump Americans might be tired of marching.
“I had booked my plane ticket last time in advance for Hillary [Clinton’s] inauguration, and I ended up marching against Trump,” Susie says.

POSITIVE

Trump is returning in two days, so the protests are over and the merchandise is out.

atkinson, Emily.

live editor in Washington, DC.

In a broad demonstration against the policies of the incoming Trump administration, thousands of people flocked to the US capital today.

The marches were smaller than in the past, with mostly female groups congregating at different locations throughout Washington before coming together on the National Mall to make their final stand.

Despite the protests, Washington is bustling. Last-minute attempts to modify events to fit the Capitol interior have increased since it was announced that the inauguration would now take place indoors due to the cold.

There are metal barriers lining almost every street in central Washington, DC, and more are being built as I write this to show that the outside is receiving equal attention.

The increasing number of people arriving before the big day and the fact that all of the central hotels are now completely booked suggest that the chill isn’t deterring anyone.

Indeed, with makeshift booths strewn with “Make America Great Again” (Maga) t-shirts, hoodies, and caps springing up all over the city, finding additional layers won’t be a problem for Trump supporters.

The eve of Trump’s inauguration is tomorrow.

Elon Musk and Hulk Hogan will speak alongside the president-elect to the large crowds of supporters who have traveled to witness this momentous occasion at a rally that has been organized to commemorate the occasion.

Tomorrow, we’ll be back to provide live updates and analysis on everything that happened. So come on over.

Has Trump overpromised on the US economy?

Donald Trump is scheduled to return to the White House on Monday for his second term as US president.

For the biggest economy in the world, he has pledged significant changes.

Tariffs, big tax, regulation, and government size cuts, as well as an “end to the devastating inflation crisis” are all on the agenda.

He claims that this combination will spur economic growth and rekindle waning belief in the American dream.

However, the president-elect faces warnings that many of his policies are more likely to harm than to benefit the economy.

And as he gets ready to implement his plans, experts predict that he will soon encounter political and economic obstacles that will make it difficult to fulfill all of his pledges.

Check out Natalie Sherman’s analysis of Trump’s main pledges as a business reporter.

It took some activists hours to get to Washington, DC.

Today’s People’s March has attracted activists from all over the nation, not just DC locals.

In order to guarantee his arrival in the nation’s capital today, one protestor, Matthew, flew for thirteen hours.

As he tells the BBC, “I don’t think you can complain about politics if you’re not taking action, so I’m taking action.”.

He claims he hoped to raise awareness by flying back-to-back to Washington three times.

To express her support for underrepresented groups, Tiffany, another woman, traveled from Utah, a state in the west.

Tiffany states, “We must defend the rights of women and people, as we hold these values in high regard.”.

People are worn out.

Holly Honderich.

reporting from Washington, DC.

The Women’s March managing director, Tamika Middleton, is aware that many Americans who oppose Trump may be sick of marching.

She claims that “people are feeling exhausted.”. Pay attention, I’m feeling worn out. “.”.

Millions of progressives in the US were devastated by Donald Trump’s second win, which crushed their hopes for the anti-Trump “resistance” that was established in 2017 to block the Republican Party’s Make America Great Again (Maga) agenda and prevent him from regaining power.

Even if attendance is lower than the historic first march, which drew about 500,000 people to Washington, DC, Middleton nevertheless maintains that the Women’s March has a place.

“One of the most crucial aspects of resistance has been and still is mass protest,” she says.

However, she goes on to say that she and the other march organizers are eager to see how these protests can lead to political outcomes after Saturday.

“The march is a means of attracting new members and is the lowest barrier to the movement,” she says. “The march isn’t the final stage. “.”.

“There are several reasons why we are all here.”.

Returning to the March in Washington, DC, is Lucia Smith.

She is back on the streets today wearing her knit blue “pussyhat” after making the trek to the nation’s capital eight years ago from Trenton, New Jersey, when the march was known as the Women’s March.

“I wanted to show up to resist and not comply in advance,” the therapist says, displaying a sign expressing her pro-climate crisis stance.

She notes that the march today is “more inclusive” than the initial demonstration in January 2017, which was centered more on reproductive rights and drew an estimated 500,000 people.

As she points to some of the signs she observes around her, such as “democracy, bodily autonomy, pro-immigration, anti-over incarceration,” she states, “We’re all here for multiple reasons.”.

She goes on to say, “It’s much more of an inclusive crowd with lots of issues with Donald Trump,” before emphasizing that their opposition to oligarchy is one of their common concerns. “.

As more join the march, the protest starts to get bigger.

Leatherman, Alex.

reporting from the March of the People.

Groups from the three starting points are assembling as the march to the Lincoln Memorial begins, and the protest’s size is steadily increasing.

Turnout is obviously lower than it was eight years ago, even though we haven’t seen the entire number of attendees.

Coming from the San Francisco Bay Area, Susie joined her sister Anne, who lives nearby, for the march. Following Trump’s first inauguration, they both came back wearing their “pussyhats” from the Women’s March.

“Last time, I purchased my plane ticket ahead of time for Hillary Clinton’s inauguration, and I ended up marching against Trump,” Susie explains.

Susie recalls how crowded the Ellipse year was. She expresses her hope that people will continue to feel compelled to protest Trump’s policies in the streets.

She claims that the stakes are higher this time. “Trump is now more confident. The tech class and the billionaire class are bowing down to him. “”.

Anne acknowledges, however, that they are “out of touch” with a large portion of America. In spite of this, the sisters will continue to come out in an effort to shape the America they desire.

According to Anne, “We will resist and we are still here.”.

Activists assemble in Washington, DC, saying, “I’m angry, depressed, and overwhelmed.”.

Women who are participating in the People’s March in Washington tell the BBC that they braved the cold for a number of reasons.

Brooke, one of the women, states that she wishes to express her support for the right to procreate.

According to her, “I’m really not happy with the way our country’s voted.”. I’m very disappointed that we didn’t nominate a female candidate and that our nation has leaned toward a president who has already let us down once. “.

Kayla, another woman, claims that a range of feelings led her to the streets of Washington, DC.

She says, “To be honest, I’m just angry, depressed, and overwhelmed.”.

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