Women march in US on 1st anniv of Trump

Washington, January 21

Hundreds of thousands of women and their male supporters turned out on Saturday for the second Women’s March, a nationwide series of protests against US President Donald Trump marking the end of his tumultuous first year in office. 

People participating in marches walked in support of women empowerment and denounced US President Donald Trump’s views on immigration, abortion, LGBT rights and women’s rights on the anniversary of his inauguration.

The coordinated rallies in Washington, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and about 250 other cities featured speakers who blasted Trump for policies that many said hurt women and urged voters to turn out for congressional elections in November. Sister rallies were staged in cities overseas.

“Your vote is the most powerful tool at your individual disposal,” actress Eva Longoria told the Los Angeles rally. “Everybody who has the privilege of voting must do so.” Trump responded on Twitter by touting what he said were economic gains of the past year that benefited women.

“Beautiful weather all over our great country, a perfect day for all Women to March,” he wrote. “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!” 

Many of the protesters wore pink knit “pussy hats,” which were created for last year’s march as a reference to a comment made by Trump about female genitalia. The caps quickly became a symbol of women’s empowerment and opposition to the new president in the early days of his administration.

Saturday’s march follows what many see as a pivotal year for women’s rights, with the rise of the #MeToo and #TimesUp social media campaigns against sexual harassment and misconduct. The movements sprang up after a string of scandals involving powerful men in Hollywood, Washington and elsewhere.

Many of Saturday’s speakers highlighted the theme of sexual assault, urging all Americans to fight back against what they see as a culture that tolerates the mistreatment of women.

Los Angeles Mayor Mayor Eric Garcetti estimated the crowd at 6,00,000, and that it was largest march in the country. In Washington, Democratic leaders addressed a gathering that appeared much smaller than the massive crowd that flooded the nation's capital on January 21, 2017, the day after Trump’s inauguration. — Reuters

Hollywood Celebs give their voice

• One year later and with a renewed hope for equal rights for women and justice, Women’s March 2018 saw several Hollywood A-listers including Viola Davis, Natalie Portman, Adele and Olivia Munn in participation
• Last year, women and men took to the streets of Washington DC, Los Angeles, New York and other cities, to show solidarity for women’s rights and refusal to attend US President Donald Trump’s inauguration, a day after he was sworn in as the 45th POTUS
• A vocal supporter of equality, Davis gave a hair-raising speech in the wake of the #MeToo movement, after Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment scandal broke out last year, the Los Angeles Times reported
• Olivia Wilde, Alyssa Milano, Scarlett Johansson, Drew Barrymore, Ashton Kutcher, Eva Longoria, Mila Kunis, Amber Tamblyn, Chelsea Kane among others were also present along with the activists who protested against Trump’s policies