In Washington, the Women’s March is making a return this Saturday, marking eight years since its landmark inaugural event that took place shortly before Donald Trump’s inauguration as president.
This year’s event has undergone a significant transformation, being renamed the People’s March to attract a wider array of supporters. This change comes at a pivotal time for progressive movements, particularly following the recent electoral defeat of Vice President Kamala Harris, leaving many in the progressive camp feeling worn out, disheartened, and disillusioned. The high stakes of Trump’s initial inauguration in 2017 saw a massive turnout that resonated passionately against his presidency.
The original Women’s March in 2017 garnered immense participation, with over 500,000 individuals in Washington, D.C., and millions more joining demonstrations in cities nationwide. This unprecedented turnout marked one of the largest single-day protests in U.S. history. However, this year’s event is projected to attract only a fraction—around one-tenth—of that number, reflecting a more tempered moment for progressive supporters. The atmosphere this time is markedly different, lacking the intense emotions that characterized the protests following Trump’s first election victory.
Tamika Middleton, who manages the Women’s March, noted that it’s difficult to replicate such powerful moments. In her view, the context was unique in 2017, as the nation had not yet experienced the turbulence of a Trump presidency. Since that time, the movement has seen divisions stemming from criticisms about its lack of diversity. This rebranding aims to create a more inclusive and appealing face for the march. The event will cover a variety of topics such as feminism, racial justice, anti-militarization, among other causes, culminating in discussions led by various social justice organizations.
According to sociologist Jo Reger, who specializes in social movements, the People’s March presents an unusual convergence of diverse issues under a single rallying point. Unlike previous suffrage marches that were focused solely on winning voting rights, the scope of the People’s March introduces the chance for varying perspectives and the potential for healthy discourse, even if it leads to some disagreement among participants.
Middleton emphasized that the purpose of this year’s gathering is not to replicate the mass demonstration of 2017, but rather to shine a light on a broader range of important issues including women’s and reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, immigration, climate change, and democracy itself—moving the focus beyond just opposition to Trump.
She underscores the importance of transforming the participants’ energy into actionable steps within their communities. The goal, she remarked, is to inspire those who attend the march to engage with social justice organizations and find their political identities, sustaining their efforts long after the rally has concluded.
