Donald Trump protests: Washington leads global rallies
Hundreds of thousands are massing for a "Women's March on Washington", part of a global day of protests against new US President Donald Trump. The rally is one of more than 600 expected worldwide on the
Hundreds of thousands are massing for a “Women’s March on Washington”, part of a global day of protests against new US President Donald Trump.
The rally is one of more than 600 expected worldwide on the president’s first full day in office.
The aim is to highlight women’s rights, which protesters believe to be under threat from the new administration.
Mr Trump attended a multi-faith service on Saturday and will visit the CIA HQ in the afternoon.
He has taken his first steps as president, signing an executive order targeting his predecessor’s health care scheme.
On Saturday morning, protesters swarmed streets and metro stations in the US capital, heading for the National Mall, where speeches have started ahead of an afternoon march to the White House.
Organisers had originally sought a permit for 200,000 people but say they now expect as many as half a million, possibly dwarfing Friday’s inauguration crowd, the Washington Post reported.
Celebrities such as Katy Perry, Scarlett Johansson, Amy Schumer, Ugly Betty star America Ferrera, Patricia Arquette and Michael Moore are expected to attend.
But there will be other protests in some 300 cities across the US, from New York to Seattle.
California participant Jessica Vroman posted an image of a flight to Washington packed with women. “This is what hope looks like people!” she wrote.
Many women have knitted pink “pussy hats” – a reference to a recording that emerged during the election campaign on which Mr Trump talked about groping women.
Placards in Washington read: “Women won’t back down” and “Less fear more love”.
Defeated presidential candidate Hillary Clinton sent a tweet of support.
Organisers of the Women’s March on Washington said in a statement: “The rhetoric of the past election cycle has insulted, demonised, and threatened many of us.
“The women’s march on Washington will send a bold message to our new government on their first day in office, and to the world that women’s rights are human rights.”
They said the protest would not simply be about women’s rights and would attract “people of all genders, ages, races, cultures, political affiliations and backgrounds”, with support from the likes of Amnesty International.
Authorities will be on standby to prevent any repeat of violence that occurred after the inauguration ceremony on Friday, when protesters smashes windows. More than 200 were arrested and six officers hurt.
‘These are global problems’
Anti-Trump marches have already taken place in Australia, New Zealand and in Asian cities such as Bangkok.
Several thousand women and men joined a rally in central Sydney, with a similar number in Melbourne.
Women’s March Sydney co-founder Mindy Freiband told the crowd there: “Hatred, hate speech, bigotry, discrimination, prejudicial policies – these are not American problems, these are global problems.”
American expatriate Bill Scholer, protesting in Tokyo, told Reuters news agency: “Everything we value could be gone. It’s time to speak your mind and concerns and to do our best to salvage the values we cherish in America.”
Thousands of people are taking part in protests in cities across the UK,including London, Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Bristol.
Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam, Geneva, Budapest, Prague and Berlin were among European cities holding rallies.
Teclay January 21, 2017
እንታይ እዮም ዝበሉ ኣቦታት …”ገለን ብማይ ገለን ስኣን ማይ ”
What a madness is this ??? What is democracy mean ? isn’t it a fair and transparent election ….President Donald Trump won the election;full stop.
I Wish the demonstrators were in Africa at least for one day,Yes to listen -when Issu said ” go to the moon”…,,,When our brothers Woyin said ,they had won the election 100% ……..When the defeated Gambian leader congratulated his successor only to be regretted in a matter of 10 days ………..the list is long in fact there will never be a fair election in Africa as long as the colonial borders are intact.
LONG LIVE PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP!!!!!!!
k.tewolde January 21, 2017
Is this the Teclay we familiar with,surprisingly there is an element of truth in his post.Yes,it is called a working democracy,you take it to the house in tens of thousands,regardless who is in the house.Can anybody approach the vicinity of adi halo with a placard?
Daniel January 23, 2017
Well said Mr Teclay and just ignore the deKhalu cockroaches who have nothing positive to contribute to assenna forum except the usual bullshits.