PHOTOS: Protesters take part in third annual Women's March

Thousands of people participate in the Third Annual Women’s March at Freedom Plaza in Washington, Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: Erin Scott/Reuters)
Thousands of people participate in the Third Annual Women’s March at Freedom Plaza in Washington, Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: Erin Scott/Reuters)

Women marched in hundreds of U.S. cities and overseas on Saturday to mark the second anniversary of demonstrations that drew millions of protesters to the streets the day after Republican President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January 2017.

Women’s March, a national nonprofit organization that evolved from the initial Washington march, again hosted its main event in Washington, with hundreds of “sister” marches in other cities.

March On, a separate grassroots coalition that also grew from the original march, coordinated hundreds of marches in cities such as Boston, Houston, Baltimore and Denver.

Leaders of both groups said they would use this year’s marches to push policy related to raising the minimum wage, access to reproductive healthcare and voting rights, among other issues. They are aiming to mobilize women to vote ahead of the 2020 elections, when Trump is expected to be the Republican nominee for president.

Supporters hold up signs during the Women’s Unity Rally hosted by a chapter of Women’s March National on Jan. 19, 2019 at Foley Square in New York City. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Supporters hold up signs during the Women’s Unity Rally hosted by a chapter of Women’s March National on Jan. 19, 2019 at Foley Square in New York City. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)

“There is definitely huge, huge focus on the 2020 elections,” said March On’s Natalie Sanchez, an organizer of the 2017 Boston Women’s March who is also with March Forward Massachusetts, which organized Saturday’s march there.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who launched her bid for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination this week, addressed the women’s march in Des Moines, Iowa, the state that holds the first nominating contest and acts as a proving ground for White House hopefuls. She told the crowd that the 2017 march was one of the most influential political moments in her life.

“Now is the time to get off the sidelines. Our democracy only works when people like you stand up and demands it,” Gillibrand said.

Kimberly Graham, 54, an attorney in Des Moines, said attending the march there two years ago gave her hope after Trump’s election left her feeling dejected. Her excitement from seeing so many women and minorities win midterm election races has inspired her to weigh challenging Republican U.S. Senator Joni Ernst.

“It’s given me a lot of hope that things will turn around. That it is darkest before the light,” Graham said.

Activists say the marches were a chance to celebrate the gains made in the 2018 elections, which saw more women elected to the U.S. Congress than ever before.

The newly elected women – nearly all Democrats – include the first Muslim women and first Native American women in Congress, as well as the first black women to represent their states in New England. Many cited Trump’s presidency among the reasons they decided to run for office.

As the political movement that grew out of hundreds of loosely affiliated marches in 2017 has grown, divisions have emerged.

Counter-protesters hold signs as people march during the Women’s Unity Rally at Foley Square on Jan. 19, 2019 in New York City. (Photo: Angela Weiss /AFP/Getty Images)
Counter-protesters hold signs as people march during the Women’s Unity Rally at Foley Square on Jan. 19, 2019 in New York City. (Photo: Angela Weiss /AFP/Getty Images)

In some cities, like New York and Washington, there was more than one march or demonstration due to criticism that some Women’s March leaders are anti-Semitic – a charge those leaders have sought to dispel in recent interviews and statements.

Leaders of Women’s March and March On say there is a role for everyone and that divisions in leadership have not detracted from the overall movement.

Julie Wash, 57, a librarian from Saratoga Springs, New York, said Women’s March leader Tamika Mallory – who has faced blowback for her support of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan – is being held to a different standard than Trump and other white, male leaders.

“There’s a level of accountability that we need to hold white establishment men to if we’re going to hold Tamika Mallory to that standard,” Wash said.

Wash came to the Washington march with her friend Nan Sullivan, 65, a business owner also from Saratoga Springs.

“Give us the whole table. Don’t give us a seat. Just give us the whole table. Get out of the way and we’ll clean up the mess,” Sullivan said.

The marches also have been criticized as being unwelcoming to conservative women, who may support Trump’s presidency and oppose abortion rights. The annual March for Life by anti-abortion campaigners was held in Washington on Friday, attended by Vice President Mike Pence. (Reuters)

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Three sisters march up Sixth Avenue wearing a jacket made famous by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump as they participate in the Womena??s March in New York City on Jan. 19, 2019 in New York City. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Three sisters march up Sixth Avenue wearing a jacket made famous by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump as they participate in the Womena??s March in New York City on Jan. 19, 2019 in New York City. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Sabrina Saunders of Littleton, Colo., dressed in an outfit from The Handmaid’s Tale, marches during the Women’s March in Denver, Colorado on Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: Jason Connolly/AFP/Getty Images)
Sabrina Saunders of Littleton, Colo., dressed in an outfit from The Handmaid’s Tale, marches during the Women’s March in Denver, Colorado on Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: Jason Connolly/AFP/Getty Images)
Several young women show off their politically motivated denim jackets in Time Square after participating in the Women’s March in New York City on Jan. 19, 2019 in New York City. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Several young women show off their politically motivated denim jackets in Time Square after participating in the Women’s March in New York City on Jan. 19, 2019 in New York City. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
People participate in the Women’s March in Columbus Circle in New York on Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: Atilgan Ozdil/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
People participate in the Women’s March in Columbus Circle in New York on Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: Atilgan Ozdil/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Demonstrators hold signs during the Young Women’s March at Federal Plaza on Jan. 19, 2019 in Chicago, Ill. (Photo: Joshua Lott/AFP/Getty Images)
Demonstrators hold signs during the Young Women’s March at Federal Plaza on Jan. 19, 2019 in Chicago, Ill. (Photo: Joshua Lott/AFP/Getty Images)
Protesters hold signs during the Women’s Unity Rally at Foley Square on Jan. 19, 2019 in New York City. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Protesters hold signs during the Women’s Unity Rally at Foley Square on Jan. 19, 2019 in New York City. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
People participate in the Women’s Unity Rally hosted by a chapter of Women’s March National on Jan. 19, 2019 at Foley Square in New York City. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
People participate in the Women’s Unity Rally hosted by a chapter of Women’s March National on Jan. 19, 2019 at Foley Square in New York City. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Demonstrators take part in a march organized by the Women’s March Alliance in the Manhattan borough of New York City, Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: Caitlin Ochs/Reuters)
Demonstrators take part in a march organized by the Women’s March Alliance in the Manhattan borough of New York City, Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: Caitlin Ochs/Reuters)
People participate in the Women’s Unity Rally hosted by a chapter of Women’s March National on Jan. 19, 2019 at Foley Square in New York City. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
People participate in the Women’s Unity Rally hosted by a chapter of Women’s March National on Jan. 19, 2019 at Foley Square in New York City. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Thousands of people descend on downtown Los Angeles for 3rd Annual Women’s March, Jan. 19, 2019 in Los Angeles, Calif. (Photo: Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Thousands of people descend on downtown Los Angeles for 3rd Annual Women’s March, Jan. 19, 2019 in Los Angeles, Calif. (Photo: Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley speaks at the Third Annual Women’s March in Boston, Mass., Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: Brian Snyder/Reuters)
U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley speaks at the Third Annual Women’s March in Boston, Mass., Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: Brian Snyder/Reuters)
A women carries a clear backpack with a caged Trump baby doll with a bottle at the Women’s Unity Rally hosted by a chapter of Women’s March National on Jan. 19, 2019 at Foley Square in New York City. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A women carries a clear backpack with a caged Trump baby doll with a bottle at the Women’s Unity Rally hosted by a chapter of Women’s March National on Jan. 19, 2019 at Foley Square in New York City. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A man holds up an Impeach “Trump” sign during the Women’s Unity Rally hosted by a chapter of Women’s March National on Jan. 19, 2019 at Foley Square in New York City. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A man holds up an Impeach “Trump” sign during the Women’s Unity Rally hosted by a chapter of Women’s March National on Jan. 19, 2019 at Foley Square in New York City. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Protesters hold signs during the Women’s March on Jan. 19, 2019 in Los Angeles, Calif. (Photo: Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)
Protesters hold signs during the Women’s March on Jan. 19, 2019 in Los Angeles, Calif. (Photo: Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)
Toilet paper printed with President Donald Trump’s face is tied to a women’s leg at the Women’s Unity Rally in Foley Square, Manhattan in New York City, Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gabriela Bhaskar/Reuters)
Toilet paper printed with President Donald Trump’s face is tied to a women’s leg at the Women’s Unity Rally in Foley Square, Manhattan in New York City, Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gabriela Bhaskar/Reuters)
Women wear wall protest outfits as they stand in front of the Trump International Hotel while participating in the Third Annual Women’s March in Washington, Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: /Erin Scott/Reuters)
Women wear wall protest outfits as they stand in front of the Trump International Hotel while participating in the Third Annual Women’s March in Washington, Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: /Erin Scott/Reuters)
A woman wearing clothes covered with the face of former U.S Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton dances during the Third Annual Women’s March in Boston, Mass., Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: Brian Snyder/Reuters)
A woman wearing clothes covered with the face of former U.S Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton dances during the Third Annual Women’s March in Boston, Mass., Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: Brian Snyder/Reuters)
A supporter holds up a sign based on Rosie the Riveter with word “resist” after marching in the Women’s March on Jan. 19, 2019 in New York City. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A supporter holds up a sign based on Rosie the Riveter with word “resist” after marching in the Women’s March on Jan. 19, 2019 in New York City. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Demonstrators hold signs during the Women’s March in Washington on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: Jose Luis Magana/AP)
Demonstrators hold signs during the Women’s March in Washington on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: Jose Luis Magana/AP)
Supporters of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg march in during the Women’s March Alliance, Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, in New York. (Photo: Mary Altaffer/AP)
Supporters of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg march in during the Women’s March Alliance, Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, in New York. (Photo: Mary Altaffer/AP)
Demonstrators hold up their banners as they march on Pennsylvania Av., during the Women’s March in Washington on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: Jose Luis Magana/AP)
Demonstrators hold up their banners as they march on Pennsylvania Av., during the Women’s March in Washington on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: Jose Luis Magana/AP)
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, (D-New York) waves to the crowd after speaking at Women’s Unity Rally organized by Women’s March NYC at Foley Square in Lower Manhattan, Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, in New York. (Photo: Kathy Willens/AP)
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, (D-New York) waves to the crowd after speaking at Women’s Unity Rally organized by Women’s March NYC at Foley Square in Lower Manhattan, Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, in New York. (Photo: Kathy Willens/AP)
Demonstrators hold signs as they gather at Pershing Square during the Women’s March in Los Angeles on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: Damian Dovarganes/AP)
Demonstrators hold signs as they gather at Pershing Square during the Women’s March in Los Angeles on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: Damian Dovarganes/AP)
Thousands gather on the Boston Common for the third year in a row to protest for equal rights for women on Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: Allison Dinner/ZUMA Wire)
Thousands gather on the Boston Common for the third year in a row to protest for equal rights for women on Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: Allison Dinner/ZUMA Wire)
Demonstrators hold up their banners as they march, during the Women’s March in Washington on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: Jose Luis Magana/AP)
Demonstrators hold up their banners as they march, during the Women’s March in Washington on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: Jose Luis Magana/AP)
Demonstrators hold signs during the 2019 Women’s March on Jan. 19, 2019 in Washington. (Photo: Zach Gibson/Getty Images)
Demonstrators hold signs during the 2019 Women’s March on Jan. 19, 2019 in Washington. (Photo: Zach Gibson/Getty Images)
Linda Sarsour and Tamika Mallory, two of the organisers of the Women’s March, walk together on Pennsylvania Avenue during the Third Annual Women’s March in Washington, Jan.19, 2019. (Photo: Joshua Roberts/Reuters)
Linda Sarsour and Tamika Mallory, two of the organisers of the Women’s March, walk together on Pennsylvania Avenue during the Third Annual Women’s March in Washington, Jan.19, 2019. (Photo: Joshua Roberts/Reuters)
Demonstrators take part in a march organized by the Women’s March Alliance in the Manhattan borough of New York City, Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: Caitlin Ochs/Reuters)
Demonstrators take part in a march organized by the Women’s March Alliance in the Manhattan borough of New York City, Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: Caitlin Ochs/Reuters)
Demonstrators cheer during the 2019 Women’s March on Jan. 19, 2019 in Washington. (Photo: Zach Gibson/Getty Images)
Demonstrators cheer during the 2019 Women’s March on Jan. 19, 2019 in Washington. (Photo: Zach Gibson/Getty Images)
Demonstrators emphasizing gun violence take part in a march organized by the Women’s March Alliance in the Manhattan borough of New York City, Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: Caitlin Ochs/Reuters)
Demonstrators emphasizing gun violence take part in a march organized by the Women’s March Alliance in the Manhattan borough of New York City, Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: Caitlin Ochs/Reuters)
A group hold up signs at freedom plaza during the women’s march in Washington on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo/Jose Luis Magana/AP)
A group hold up signs at freedom plaza during the women’s march in Washington on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo/Jose Luis Magana/AP)
Baby Trump balloons float over thousands of people as they participate in the Third Annual Women’s March at Freedom Plaza in Washington, Jan.19, 2019. (Photo: Joshua Roberts/Reuters)
Baby Trump balloons float over thousands of people as they participate in the Third Annual Women’s March at Freedom Plaza in Washington, Jan.19, 2019. (Photo: Joshua Roberts/Reuters)
A girl takes part in a march organized by the Women’s March Alliance in the Manhattan borough of New York City, Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: Caitlin Ochs/Reuters)
A girl takes part in a march organized by the Women’s March Alliance in the Manhattan borough of New York City, Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: Caitlin Ochs/Reuters)
A group hold up signs at freedom plaza during the women’s march in Washington on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo/Jose Luis Magana/AP)
A group hold up signs at freedom plaza during the women’s march in Washington on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo/Jose Luis Magana/AP)
Demonstrators march down Pennsylvania Avenue during the 2019 Women’s March on Jan. 19, 2019 in Washington. (Photo: Zach Gibson/Getty Images)
Demonstrators march down Pennsylvania Avenue during the 2019 Women’s March on Jan. 19, 2019 in Washington. (Photo: Zach Gibson/Getty Images)
A demonstrator wears an “Impeach Trump 2019” crown as thousands of people participate in the Third Annual Women’s March at Freedom Plaza in Washington, Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: Joshua Roberts/Reuters)
A demonstrator wears an “Impeach Trump 2019” crown as thousands of people participate in the Third Annual Women’s March at Freedom Plaza in Washington, Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: Joshua Roberts/Reuters)
Demonstrators hold signs during the 2019 Women’s March on Jan. 19, 2019 in Washington. (Photo: Zach Gibson/Getty Images)
Demonstrators hold signs during the 2019 Women’s March on Jan. 19, 2019 in Washington. (Photo: Zach Gibson/Getty Images)
Protesters listen to speakers during the Women’s Unity Rally at Foley Square on Jan. 19, 2019 in New York City. (Photo: Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images)
Protesters listen to speakers during the Women’s Unity Rally at Foley Square on Jan. 19, 2019 in New York City. (Photo: Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images)
Protesters hold signs during the Women’s Unity Rally at Foley Square on Jan. 19, 2019 in New York City. (Photo: Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images)
Protesters hold signs during the Women’s Unity Rally at Foley Square on Jan. 19, 2019 in New York City. (Photo: Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images)
Women chant and sing as they cross Oxford Circus during the anti-austerity ‘Women’s March for Bread and Roses’ in London, England on Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: David Cliff/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Women chant and sing as they cross Oxford Circus during the anti-austerity ‘Women’s March for Bread and Roses’ in London, England on Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: David Cliff/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
A protester holds up a sign during the Women’s March calling for equality, justice and an end to austerity in London, Britain, Jan.19, 2019. (Photo: Simon Dawson/Reuters)
A protester holds up a sign during the Women’s March calling for equality, justice and an end to austerity in London, Britain, Jan.19, 2019. (Photo: Simon Dawson/Reuters)
Protesters take part in the Women’s March calling for equality, justice and an end to austerity in London, Britain, Jan.19, 2019. (Photo: Simon Dawson/Reuters)
Protesters take part in the Women’s March calling for equality, justice and an end to austerity in London, Britain, Jan.19, 2019. (Photo: Simon Dawson/Reuters)
Women’s March Rome in Piazza Santi Apostoli, against violence Woman’s March in Rome in Piazza Santi Apostoli against violence against women, on Jan. 19, 2019 in Rome, Italy. (Photo: Simona Granati /Corbis/Getty Images,)
Women’s March Rome in Piazza Santi Apostoli, against violence Woman’s March in Rome in Piazza Santi Apostoli against violence against women, on Jan. 19, 2019 in Rome, Italy. (Photo: Simona Granati /Corbis/Getty Images,)
People march behind a banner reading in French “angry women” in Beziers on Jan.19, 2019 during a demonstration called by the yellow vests (gilets jaunes) movement in a row of nationwide protest for the tenth consecutive Saturday against high cost of living, government tax reforms and for more “social and economic justice.” (Photo: Pascal Guyot/AFP /Getty Images)
A girl holds a rose as protesters take part in the Women’s March calling for equality, justice and an end to austerity in London, Britain, Jan.19, 2019. (Photo: Simon Dawson/Reuters)
A girl holds a rose as protesters take part in the Women’s March calling for equality, justice and an end to austerity in London, Britain, Jan.19, 2019. (Photo: Simon Dawson/Reuters)

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