When Donald Trump was first elected president in 2016, many liberals were taken aback and organized unprecedented protests nationwide the day after his inauguration in 2017, attracting around 2.3 million participants. The groups behind these protests became pivotal in forming local resistance organizations that pressured lawmakers to oppose Trump’s policies.

With President-elect Donald Trump set to be inaugurated again on Monday, tens of thousands of individuals are planning to protest his election across events in the nation’s capital and in cities nationwide.

It is uncertain whether the upcoming protests on Saturday and Monday will achieve the same scale and effectiveness as those in 2017. Nonetheless, advocacy groups have dedicated months to collaborating in hopes of mobilizing more people to join their cause.

Conservative supporters will also gather in Washington, with a “victory rally” scheduled for 3 p.m. on Sunday at Capital One Arena. Additionally, the annual “March for Life,” which opposes abortion, is set to be held in Washington on Friday, January 24.

Various smaller protests are also planned in Washington and throughout the country by organizations such as the Democratic Socialists of America.

People’s March

The largest event, known as the People’s March, is a continuation of the 2017 Women’s March, which was sparked by outrage over Hillary Clinton’s defeat and Trump’s history of misogynistic remarks and sexual abuse allegations.

This event will commence at three different locations at 10 a.m. on Saturday in Washington, D.C. Each site will focus on various issues, such as immigration, reproductive rights, or climate change, allowing participants to connect with causes they are passionate about, according to Tamika Middleton, managing director of the Women’s March. All three marches will meet at the Lincoln Memorial for a rally and resource fair aimed at engaging attendees in grassroots activism.

Middleton emphasized that the organizers do not aim to replicate the 2017 Women’s March but wish to serve as a launching point for those motivated to act following Trump’s second-term election.

“We view this as just the beginning, a way to guide individuals into organizations where they can respond effectively to the challenges we foresee in the coming years. We want to build the necessary networks and communities for empowerment and advocacy,” she explained.

The Women’s March is one of over a dozen groups backing the Washington event, along with more than 350 similar marches planned in cities across the U.S. and internationally, such as Columbus, Ohio; Atlanta; Telluride, Colorado; and Amarillo, Texas.

Felicia Gambino, a civic fellow with DoSomething attending the New York People’s March, expressed a desire for the event to symbolize unity among those concerned about potential ramifications of Trump’s policies.

“It’s about highlighting our shared humanity and our right to believe in and support a country and a future we can be proud of,” she stated.

The Saturday marches are promoted as a “feminist-led weekend of action,” with Middleton noting that Saturday is not aimed at duplicating the energy of the 2017 March.

Organizers have learned from past “mass mobilizing” events, such as the 2017 Women’s March and the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests.

“We have been discussing how we can effectively include new participants in our movement and sustain their engagement beyond the protests,” she said. “One key takeaway has been the need to grow our capacity, not just to draw crowds but to retain involvement over time.”

Pamela Smith, the chief of the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., indicated in a news briefing that the People’s March is expected to be the largest protest linked to the inauguration, though attendance estimates may not exceed 25,000.

Middleton reported that they have received 50,000 RSVPs for the Washington march.

National Action Network

The Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network will organize a march beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday at McPherson Square in Washington, D.C., concluding with a rally at the historic Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, just a short walk away. This event coincides with the federal holiday honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Sharpton stated in a video message inviting people to the event that the Trump administration seeks to eliminate affirmative action, diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, and abortion rights. “As he assumes the presidency and outlines his agenda against civil rights, we commit ourselves to continuing Martin Luther King’s dream,” Sharpton emphasized.

ANSWER Coalition

On the same day, the ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) Coalition is orchestrating rallies in around 80 cities nationwide to “counteract Trump’s extreme right-wing policies.” Their Washington, D.C. rally is set for 11 a.m., with additional protests planned in cities like Chicago, Cleveland, Los Angeles, New York, Pittsburgh, and Phoenix.

Walter Smolarek, a spokesperson for the Answer Coalition, noted they have secured a permit for 5,000 attendees in Washington.

ANSWER is a progressive organization that has previously organized large-scale protests against military actions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The protest will journey from Malcolm X Park to Black Lives Matter Plaza near the White House, voicing opposition not just to Trump, but also highlighting frustrations with both major political parties prioritizing wealthy interests over social safety nets and climate initiatives, Smolarek outlined.

Activist Andy Thayer, who has worked on coordinating the Chicago protest, suggests the march symbolizes a broader frustration rather than solely opposition to Trump.

“This isn’t just an anti-Trump protest. It’s about a profound discontent with both political parties,” Thayer remarked. “The deep-seated disappointment with the existing political landscape is palpable.”

Nonetheless, they chose to conclude their march at Trump Tower because it symbolizes the incoming administration, Thayer added.