Women’s March across nation hits Phoenix day after Trump’s inauguration
Jan 21, 2017, 11:45 AM | Updated: 6:50 pm
The Women's March on Washington turned into a national event, and thousands marched in Phoenix in support on Jan. 21, 2017. (Twitter Photo/@JoeHuizenga)
(Twitter Photo/@JoeHuizenga)
PHOENIX — Despite all of the controversy leading up to November, Republican nominee Donald Trump was elected president and was inaugurated into office on Friday.
Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States on the steps of the U.S. Capitol building. At the same time and later in the day, protests were taking place in the Valley and in many other major cities.
On Saturday, a planned Women’s March in support of women and minorities having a greater voice took place across the nation, including in Phoenix.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety estimated the crowd size at noon at 20,000 outside the Arizona State Capitol building. The state police agency said the Saturday event was peaceful.
“This is not about one administration or one election cycle,” said the Women’s March on Washington in Phoenix website. “This is about centuries of oppression, discrimination and assaults on people of color, the LGBTQIA community, and a war of fear that has been waged on marginalized groups in this country, such as our Muslim community.
“This march embodies the power of women to manifest change in our society, in our politics, in our communities and in our lives.”
Women weren’t the only ones marching, despite the label of the event. Many men were seen marching as well, and according to the website, the event “is open to anyone who believes women’s rights are human rights, regardless of a woman’s race, ethnicity, religion, immigration status, sexual identity, gender expression, economic status, age or disability.”
We are at the Womens March. Inspiring to see so many people ready to protect their rights. #womensmarchaz pic.twitter.com/PB3697gLZ3
— Ruben Gallego (@RubenGallego) January 21, 2017
Today in Phx and around our country we stand united: 'Women's Rights are Human Rights.' #wmphx #WomensMarch
— Greg Stanton (@MayorStanton) January 21, 2017
This marked a nationwide event that began in the nation’s capital, where it was reported at least 200,000 people showed up.
At the National Mall in Washington, lots of bright pink hats and signs said “less fear more love” and “the future is female.”
The mission statement of the Women’s March on Washington says event participants are “hurting and scared” as Trump takes office — and they want a greater voice for women in political life.
In Chicago, the police department said because of how many showed up for the event, it could no longer be called a march and would be deemed a rally.
Due to the large crowd on hand, today's Woman's March has been changed to a Rally. pic.twitter.com/IjVelFUrLu
— Chicago Police (@Chicago_Police) January 21, 2017
The marches even turned international with worldwide rallies that happened in Paris, London, Mexico City and several different cities in Canada.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
