US: thousands protest one year after Trump takes reins
Women's march again brings droves to US streets to demonstrate against President Donald Trump
Washington DC
By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON
Hundreds of thousands of women and their allies marked the first year of President Donald Trump's presidency Saturday the same way they ushered it in -- in boisterous protest.
Unlike the demonstrations that took place a year ago, Saturday's rallies in cities across the U.S. arose in an era dominated by the #MeToo movement, which seeks to end the sexual assault of women by asking them to bring their stories of past abuse to light.
In so doing, victims have toppled a wide range of powerful men in entertainment, the media
Many of those who came out Saturday held signs and wore clothing heralding the movement, including several that made mention of "Time's Up", an anti-sexual assault movement that gained traction following #MeToo's rise to national prominence.
"Time's Up, Donald!!!" one sign read.
Not one to sit on the sidelines, Trump chimed in using his preferred method of communication: Twitter, appearing to mock the mass demonstrations as they filled city streets coast to coast.
"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!" Trump wrote sarcastically.
On the west coast, actress Viola Davis was among the high-profile celebrities who came out to address the assembled masses.
"I am speaking today not just for the
"The women who don’t have the money and don’t have the constitution and who don’t have the confidence and who don’t have the images in our media that gives them a sense of self-worth enough to break their silence that is rooted in the shame of assault and rooted in the stigma of assault," the Academy Award winner declared.
Mayor Eric Garcetti originally said 500,000 people were present at the Los Angeles rally before updating the tally to 600,000 -- making it one of the largest such demonstrations to take place Saturday.