Across the United States, from Washington, D.C., to Portland, Oregon, protestors gathered in the days leading up to Donald Trump’s second inauguration to voice their fears about the country’s direction under his renewed leadership. The People’s March, as it is now called, represented a broad coalition of concerns, with demonstrators protesting Trump’s policies, Elon Musk’s growing influence, and the perceived rise of oligarchic power in America. The protests, though smaller in scale than the historic Women’s March of 2017, were marked by a palpable sense of urgency and resistance.
Joe Biden, in one of his final speeches as president, issued an uncharacteristically stark warning about the concentration of wealth and power in the United States. Speaking on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Biden called on Americans to resist the growing influence of what he described as a nascent oligarchy threatening the nation’s democracy and basic freedoms. “Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power, and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy,” he said. His words struck a chord with demonstrators, many of whom cited them as a rallying cry.
The protests spanned multiple cities, with each region adopting its own focus and flavor. In San Francisco, activists addressed issues ranging from U.S. foreign policy and the military-industrial complex to environmental destruction. Ramsey Robinson, a member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, emphasized collective action, saying, “We fight back when there’s a heightened threat of war, poverty, sexism, racism, and xenophobia.” The Bay Area demonstrations reflected the deeply entrenched leftist activism that has historically characterized the region.
In Washington, D.C., protestors carried signs and chanted slogans, echoing concerns about the threats posed by Trump’s return to power. Jillian Wheat, who traveled from Ohio to participate, voiced her fears about the erosion of democracy under his leadership. “I am angry and frustrated,” Wheat said. “I’m worried that he is going to dismantle our democracy.” Others expressed concern about the relatively lower turnout compared to 2017, attributing it to political fatigue and resignation.
Despite the smaller crowds, the protests underscored a renewed commitment to activism in the face of what many see as an existential threat to American democracy. For some, the demonstrations were not just about opposing Trump but about resisting a broader erosion of rights, freedoms, and equality. Jason Capili, reflecting on the turnout, urged greater urgency: “I feel like more people are resigned. It’s worrisome because this time we need to get up twice as hard.”
Recent Comments