Anti-Trump protesters march in city, world

Boston University students Brittany Marsh and Amanda St. Clair were among the crowd estimated at 175,000 that turned out to demonstrate against President Donald Trump.

One hundred and seventy-five thousand women and allies packed the Boston Common and surrounding area on Saturday to protest a presidential administration whose leader and nominees have taken actions such as bragging about sexual assault; threatening the rights of people of color, immigrants and Muslims; challenging the safety of many American’s health care and expressing reluctance to acknowledge the full impact of human action on climate change. Demonstrators and speakers reiterated the message that this is not okay and the people will not stand for it.

Organizers of the Boston Women’s March said they initially hoped to draw 20,000 people. Instead, about 175,000 to 200,000 turned out, according to estimates from Mayor Martin Walsh’s office and the organizers, respectively.

“With solidarity, we have hope,” one speaker declared before the gathered crowds. “Not everything faced can be changed, but nothing that is not faced can be changed.”

Boston’s demonstration was one of about 600 taking place in cities across the nation and world, in what many report may be the largest single-day protest in U.S. history. The half-million strong Washington D.C. demonstration dwarfed inaugural crowd counts, with about three times as many people, according to The New York Times. Solidarity women’s marches took place on every continent, including Antarctica.

It was not the first Boston protest of the weekend.

Just hours after Donald Trump took the oath of office on Friday, hundreds of Bostonians gathered for the Boston People’s Inauguration, at which they swore to protect each others’ rights, no matter what happens in D.C. The event drew a broad coalition of activists from groups dedicated to protecting causes such as the rights of women, the homeless, Muslims, people of color and the environment. Participants started in Dewey Square and filled downtown streets as they proceeded to the Boston Common, where they pledged mutual support.

“It’s particularly important for the communities most affected and targeted — people of color, immigrants, Muslims, queer/trans people and women — to be heard,” said Lydia Lowe of the Chinese Progressive Association, as activists gathered at Dewey Square.

People’s Inauguration demonstrators raised their voices in Spanish, English and Chinese with chants that denounced Donald Trump on a myriad of fronts, ranging from his attacks on immigrants and Muslims to his nomination of inexperienced, wealthy individuals to lead key federal departments.

“The slogan is, ‘Rise, Resist and Protect’ against racism, colonialism, fascism, hatred against women — all things we’ve seen from this president,” Black Lives Matter’s Martin Henson told the Banner.

Boston Women’s March

Women’s march demonstrators bore signs with slogans slamming Trump for statements challenging the rights of citizens he, as president, now is charged to protect. Many protestors also demanded policies that safeguard the environment. Slogans declared everything from “Girls just wanna have fun-damental human rights” to “There is no Planet B.” One sign underscored a message of the day — that Americans will not accept Trump as the status quo: “This is not normal,” the sign read.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren called upon the crowd to fight for gender pay equity and ensure women have control of their bodies and reproduction. The Republican-led repeal of the Affordable Care Act could cause women to lose access to affordable contraceptives and protections against being financially penalized or denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions such as pregnancy. Trump’s Supreme Court Justice picks could overturn Roe v. Wade and dissolve marriage equality, Warren said. She urged attendees to raise their voices and keep them heard, not just to fight for women’s rights, but for the rights of all who call this country home.

“I cannot believe I have to say this in 2017: We believe in equal pay for equal work and a women’s right to decide,” Warren said. “[Today] we fight for the basic dignity and respect for every human being. … We fight for all Americans.”

Warren spoke of a broad menu of needs including criminal justice system reforms, advancement of workers’ protections, alleviation of student loan debt and steps to eliminate systemic racism.

People’s Inauguration

At Friday’s People’s Inauguration, speakers criticized Trump’s nomination of Steve Mnuchin, formerly of Goldman Sachs, as secretary of the treasury and of Rex Tillerson, CEO of Exxon Mobile, as secretary of state.

“Instead of draining the swamp, he has made those people his closest allies,” said a member of Alternatives for Community and Environment.

Many also decried the pick of Jeff Sessions — a man who has been charged with racism over much of his career, including by many civil rights groups — and Stephen Bannon, who has been widely accused of racism, misogyny, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.

A Right to the City member denounced HUD secretary pick Ben Carson for his lack of experience and his lack of belief in the mission of his agency.

“He has zero experience and zero expertise,” the Right to the City member said, noting that Carson, who is slated to head an organization with many programs designed to help low-income people improve their situation, has said he believes poverty is a choice.

Officials promise protection

For several officials, Trump’s inauguration was a cue to reach out to residents.

In lieu of attending the inauguration, U.S. Rep. Mike Capuano held an open house in his Cambridge office on Friday, during which several hundred constituents dropped by.

“People are concerned about the new administration,” Capuano said. “About 350 people came through. We talked to them one at a time. It was worth it. There are more of my constituents here at this march than in Washington.”

During Saturday’s march, Mayor Walsh praised Massachusetts’ history of action, including its leadership in extending health care coverage and marriage equality, and pledged vigilance.

“No matter what happens nationally, we are going to fight for our rights,” Walsh said.

Attorney General Maura Healey told Saturday’s crowd her office has the tools to protect them. If needed, the A.G.’s office is ready to bring lawsuits to defend citizens’ rights and the environment — and there is successful precedent, she said. As an example, Healey pointed to a case Massachusetts brought against the Environmental Protection Agency during George W. Bush’s presidency that forced the government to regulate greenhouse gases.

“I have a message for Donald Trump from the people of Massachusetts: We’ll see you in court,” Healey said.

The people stand

Activists and other demonstrators said change can — and will — happen.

Barbara Madeloni of Massachusetts Teachers Association said at the Women’s March that the fight to defeat ballot Question 2 demonstrates that grassroots people power can win out over Wall Street money.

That kind of grassroots power already may be building. The People’s Inauguration brought together a broad collection of organizations and introduced a new collaboration, the CPA’s Lowe said.

Nicole Sullivan of Boston Feminists for Liberation said her organization would work to incorporate other justice groups’ focus issues into their agenda — for instance, advocating around access to housing and health care. While the group is focused on women’s rights, as long as women have their other basic needs met, they are better able to take advantage of those rights, she said.

“The right can target people without resources,” Sullivan told the Banner. “We need people to have housing, health care [and other necessities.]”

Sullivan’s group is launching a campaign against Crisis Pregnancy Centers, which she says provide misleading and often inaccurate information to women about abortion and particularly target low-income women of color.

Susan Chang, a member of ACE, said that the strong turnout at Friday’s People’s Inauguration gave her hope.

“I feel better knowing there are so many people who also are not happy about what’s happened and will do what they can to make change,” she told the Banner.