Washington, United States:
On Saturday, tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in major US cities to voice their discontent with President Donald Trump’s controversial policies, marking the largest protests since his return to the White House.
Protesters opposing the Republican president’s stance on issues ranging from cuts to government staffing, trade tariffs, and the erosion of civil liberties gathered in locations including Washington, New York, Houston, Florida, Colorado, and Los Angeles.
“I feel an immense anger and frustration all the time. A group of privileged, white alleged rapists are in control of our nation, and it’s not okay,” expressed New York artist Shaina Kesner, 43, while participating in a march through Manhattan.
In Washington, thousands of participants—many traveling from across the nation—convened on the National Mall, where numerous speakers rallied against Trump.
“We’ve brought about 100 people down from New Hampshire by bus and van to protest this outrageous administration that is turning our allies away and causing havoc for people at home,” stated Diane Kolifrath, 64, a bike tour guide.
“They are dismantling our government.”
In Los Angeles, a woman dressed as a character from the dystopian novel “The Handmaid’s Tale” waved a prominent flag stating: “Get out of my uterus,” referring to Trump’s anti-abortion stances.
Meanwhile, in Denver, Colorado, a man in the crowded protest held a sign that read “No king for USA.”
The demonstrations even spread to several European capitals, where crowds expressed their opposition to Trump and his aggressive trade policies.
“What is happening in America is a concern for everyone,” remarked Liz Chamberlin, a dual citizen of the US and the UK, at a rally in London.
“It’s economic insanity… He is going to drive us into a global recession.”
In Berlin, 70-year-old retiree Susanne Fest commented that Trump had sparked “a constitutional crisis,” adding, “That man is a lunatic.”
In the US, a diverse coalition of progressive groups such as MoveOn and Women’s March coordinated “Hands Off” events in over 1,000 cities and every congressional district across the country, according to the organizers.
Anger
Many Americans are outraged by Trump’s rapid efforts to shrink the government, impose conservative values through executive action, and sharply pressure even allied countries on borders and trade, leading to a plunge in stock markets.
“We’re here to oppose what is frankly fascism,” protester Dominic Santella told AFP in Boston. “We are stopping a leader from… imprisoning his opponents and unjustly jailing immigrants and others.”
Frustration is rampant among Democrats, who, with their party being a minority in both houses of Congress, feel powerless to counter Trump’s initiatives.
At the National Mall, just a few blocks from the White House, thousands gathered to hear speakers including Representative Jamie Raskin, a Democrat who acted as an impeachment manager during Trump’s second impeachment.
“No ethical person desires an economy-crushing dictator who understands the cost of everything but not the value of anything,” he told the audience.
Activist Graylan Hagler, 71, also spoke at the protest, declaring: “They have awakened a sleeping giant, and they haven’t seen anything yet.”
“We will not sit down, we will not be silent, and we will not disappear.”
The protests on Saturday were primarily peaceful, with a vibrant atmosphere prevailing on a pleasant day in Washington, featuring a variety of protesters ranging from senior citizens to young families with babies in strollers.
A Women’s March following Trump’s initial election in 2016 attracted approximately half a million demonstrators to Washington.
Organizers of the current rally in Washington had anticipated around 20,000 attendees, but by Saturday afternoon indicated that the actual turnout seemed significantly higher.
As Trump continues to disrupt Washington, his approval ratings have plummeted to their lowest levels since he assumed office, according to recent polls.
Despite widespread global opposition to his sweeping tariffs and growing discontent among many Americans, the White House has downplayed the protests.
The Republican president, still favored by his base, shows no signs of backing down.
“My policies will remain unchanged,” Trump stated on Friday.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
