Elisabeth Bramble and her sister experienced a moment of profound impact when they participated in the 2017 Women’s March. This Saturday, Bramble is prepared to board a 2 a.m. bus alongside fellow North Carolinians en route to Washington, D.C., as the Women’s March evolves into The People’s March ahead of the President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
“We’re marching again for our daughters and granddaughters,” Bramble expressed. “We’re advocating for our immigrant community as well as the LGBTQ community.” Organizers of the restructured event claim they have addressed past criticisms and moved beyond the internal strife that followed the considerable turnout during the initial march after Trump’s first inauguration in 2017.
In light of recent election disappointments, Democratic leaders nationwide are actively seeking to reconnect with voters. The People’s March aims to extend its outreach, establish a new course, and transition from being a single-day event to a persistent platform for progressive political action.
The anticipated turnout for Saturday’s march is around 50,000, a significantly smaller figure compared to the 2017 Women’s March. This event is part of a series of protests, vigils, and rallies focusing on issues such as abortion rights, immigration, and the conflict in Israel and Gaza set to take place before the inauguration on Monday.
Unlike its predecessor which primarily focused on President Trump, this year’s People’s March will encompass a broader agenda including women’s rights, reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, immigration, climate concerns, and democratic principles, as stated by Tamika Middleton, managing director of the Women’s March. Under this new banner, the group aspires to gather support from a wider coalition of organizations.
Middleton emphasized the importance of creating an inclusive coalition: “We’re acknowledging the need for a broad coalition that welcomes diverse voices,” she said. “Our goal is to build a large tent that offers support to a multi-racial, multi-class, multi-gender movement that can enact political change in the years ahead.”
Initially launched in 2017 as a grassroots response to Trump’s electoral victory, the Women’s March attracted over 500,000 participants in Washington, D.C., with millions more joining protests across the nation, marking a historical moment in activism. Iconic images from that event featured women wearing pink hats and megaphones calling for action, a vivid reminder of the spirit of the time.
However, this year, both organizers and analysts note a more reflective sentiment following the recent losses, particularly after Vice President Kamala Harris’s defeat. Middleton has recognized the fatigue many in the progressive community are feeling.
Basil Smikle, a political analyst and professor, noted, “The 2017 pre-inauguration period was filled with anger and disbelief.” The current atmosphere is more subdued, characterized by a collective introspection and strengthening of communities that face the brunt of harmful policies, which could explain the anticipated smaller crowd.
Smikle explained that after years of sustained activism, individuals are feeling exhausted, pointing to a lack of progress and a general disengagement from political enthusiasm. A December survey indicated that around two-thirds of U.S. adults have intentionally decreased their media consumption regarding politics due to feelings of being overwhelmed, with this sentiment particularly pronounced among Democrats.
Democratic respondents also reported feeling less optimistic about the upcoming years. A lesser proportion described their feelings about 2025 positively, with many expressing feelings of stress and gloom. Middleton clarified that while re-creating the immense turnout from 2017 is not the primary goal, energizing voters and attracting new supporters remains essential for sustaining the movement in the wake of a grueling election cycle.
The Women’s March faced challenges in its subsequent years, with internal divisions arising from allegations of racism and lack of inclusion of marginalized voices. Raquel Willis, a transgender activist, highlighted that there were prior shortcomings in addressing the issues affecting diverse communities. However, she noted a shift in the organization’s focus and welcomed the leadership changes.
Moving toward the 2026 midterm elections, the People’s March aims to provide attendees with a sense of political belonging, emphasizing themes related to feminism, racial justice, and anti-militarization, alongside discussions facilitated by various social justice entities.
Before embarking on their journey to Washington, Bramble and members of the Guilford County Women Dems and Friends gathered in High
