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Over 1 Million Protests Around Globe on Trump's First Day in Office

Hundreds rally in Tel Aviv in solidarity ■ Gloria Steinem: 'We've elected an impossible president' ■ Clinton praises Washington March attendees ■ 'We are under attack,' says America Ferrera ■ Jewish women divided over march.

Haaretz

22.01.2017 04:02 Updated: 4:03 AM

Demonstrators attend the Women's March rally at the Connecticut state Capitol in Hartford, Conn., Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. — Jessica Hill/AP

22.01.2017
Half a million march on Washington to protest Trump
22.01.2017
White House: Inauguration drew largest crowd ever, 'period'

A day after the inauguration of President Donald Trump, over 1 million people protested in Washington D.C., America and across the world. The events followed the Women's March on Washington, a demonstration against sexism and sexual violence and call for women's rights. Solidarity marches took place in cities around the world, including Tel Aviv.

Follow Haaretz for live updates, breaking news, tweets and analyses from the march. Download our App, sign up to Breaking News Alerts, and Subscribe >>

Haaretz

22.01.2017 | 05:23

Kushner brother spotted at anti-Trump protest march in D.C.

Among the hundreds of thousands of demonstrators who gathered Saturday in Washington D.C. as part of the Women's March on Washington against President Donald Trump was one surprising protester: Joshua Kushner, the younger brother of Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared. (Amir Tibon) Read full report

Haaretz

22.01.2017 | 04:51

Half a million march on Washington to protest Trump

For his first 24 hours in office, President Donald Trump got a reception no other president before him has received. More than half a million protesters flooded the streets of Washington D.C. on Saturday – armed with pink beanies and mocking signs – a day after Trumps inauguration reportedly brought about half that amount. (Asher Schechter) Read full report

Haaretz

22.01.2017 | 03:24

Washington's Women's March continues; no arrests

Hours after the Women's March on Washington was scheduled to end, many women were still marching.

Hundreds, if not thousands, of protesters are flooding through the streets of downtown Washington Saturday night. Many are chanting and waving signs.

Police in cars and on bicycles and motorcycles are escorting the crowd through the congested downtown area.

A day after more than 200 people were arrested in Washington while protesting the inauguration of President Donald Trump, the Woman's March on itself didn't yield a single arrest.

That's according to the District of Columbia's homeland security director, Christopher Geldart.

Geldart says it is safe to say the crowd at the Women's March exceeded the 500,000 that organizers told city officials to expect. That would make it one of the largest demonstrations in the city's history. (AP)

Haaretz

22.01.2017 | 01:52

White House: Inauguration drew largest crowd ever, 'period'

White House press secretary Sean Spicer used his first press conference to blast media for what he called " false reporting" regarding the number of those in attendance at President Donald Trump's inauguration on Friday.

White House: Inauguration drew largest crowd ever, 'period'

"Photographs of the inauguration process were intentionally framed in a way ... to minimize the enormous support that had gathered on the National Mall," he said.

"This was the first time in our nation's history that floor coverings had been used to protect the grass on the Mall that had the effect highlighting any areas where people were not standing, while in years past, the grass eliminated this visual. This was the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration, period – both in person and remote."

Haaretz

21.01.2017 | 23:58

Trump tells CIA 'I'm behind you'; overstates crowd at inauguration

In his first public speech since entering the White House, President Donald Trump attacked the American media for its' coverage of his inauguration events and ignored the hundreds of demonstrations taking place across the world today in reaction to his presidency. Read full story

Haaretz

21.01.2017 | 23:51

Chaos and talk of love and unity as D.C. march continues

The scene in Washington is getting chaotic as some protesters at the Women's March proceed toward the White House and the Ellipse.

Seas of people are blocking traffic as they walk from the National Mall.

On one street, a police car trying to move got stuck in the crowd. Marchers surrounded a float that had several supporters of President Donald Trump on board and chanted, "shame."

Other marchers were shouting "black lives matter" and "my body, my choice" as they moved along Pennsylvania Avenue toward the White House.

Rabbi Sharon Brous reportedly spoke to the crowd about love and unity: "We stand against the moral bankruptcy that threatens our democracy."

On the other side of the Mall, rally-goers are headed home. The line to get on the escalator at the Judiciary Square Metro station is half a city block long. (AP and Haaretz)

Haaretz

21.01.2017 | 22:33

Weary of speeches, D.C. protesters demand 'less talk, more walk'

As an estimated half-million people pack the streets of Washington, D.C., logistical issues like a shortage in portable toilets are becoming increasingly problematic. Lines are growing outside Starbucks branches and firehouses and snaking around the block for the few bathrooms set up by organizers. Some protesters are even going back to their hotels to use the bathrooms there. "It's a women's march – they should have thought of that!" grumbles one person.

Meanwhile, protesters appear to be growing weary of the speech portion of the march, which has been going on for more than four hours. "Less talk, more walk!" people are chanting.

Finally, after reports that the march had been canceled (the crowd is too big to conduct the formal march to the White House as originally planned) organizers informed the crowd that the march will still proceed, albeit via a shorter route. People have begun marching toward the Washington Monument, singing "Donald Trump has got to go. "(Asher Schechter)

The Women's March on Washington, D.C. Lisa Albin

Haaretz

21.01.2017 | 22:19

'As Jews, we have an obligation to speak out against injustice'

The Womens march in New York is underway, and the protestors fill all surrounding streets, filling midtown Manhattan with the spirit of a feminist revolution. Thousands of women all ages have showed up to protest, but so did their allies, friends and family.

One of the groups taking part in the New York march is the City Congregation of Humanistic Judaism, which can be spotted from afar due to the banners with the Star of David, and the pink cat-like hats that are keeping them warm.

"We are here with thousands of people, to help support womens rights, human rights, dignity for all people," says Peter H. Schweitzer, the rabbi of the congregation.

As Jews, we have a moral obligation, when we see injustice, to speak out. (Taly Krupkin) Read full story

Amy and her partner Nancy, with their son Joseph, made pink hats for friends in their Jewish community ahead of the Women's March on NYC, January 21, 2017. Taly Krupkin

The Women's March on New York. Megan Degraff-McMenamy

Haaretz

21.01.2017 | 22:11

Chicago march turned into rally due to large crowd size

The Chicago Police has announced that "due to the large crowd size on hand," the city's Women's March will now be a rally.

Aerials over Chicago, Boston show large crowds that have gathered for regional Women’s Marches https://t.co/W1I9Mta8h8 pic.twitter.com/k0D7qlAYDx
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) January 21, 2017

Haaretz

21.01.2017 | 21:44

Alicia Keys: 'No hate, no bigotry'

"No hate, no bigotry!" Alicia Keys implored the crowds at the Women's March on Washington. "Repeat after me: We're on fire!"

With that the bare-faced women's activist launched into her hit song, "This girl is on fire." Crowds huddled around screens in the National Mall as the march was too mobbed for anyone to move.

"These girls are on fire," sings Alicia Keys while walking the stage at #WomensMarch rally https://t.co/TgJ6U199TR pic.twitter.com/6XBLRieX1E
— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 21, 2017

But protestors didn't seem to mind.

Off on the side of 12th & Independence, march goers spotted actor Martha Plimpton, who waved back and led a chorus of "Resist Bigly!"

After Keys, Janelle Monae, wearing a T-shirt that read "Fem the Future" spoke, reminding all that it was a woman who gave us Martin Luther King and Jesus.

"Embrace the things that make you unique even if they make you feel uncomfortable," she said. "We will not be invisible figures." It was a reference to her latest film "Hidden Figures," about black women in NASA. (Marisa Fox-Bevilacqua)

Demonstrators sit in a tree while holding signs during the Women's March on Washington in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. Patrick T. Fallon, Bloomberg

Haaretz

21.01.2017 | 21:21

Tel Aviv protesters explain why they took to the streets

Some of the protesters in Tel Aviv explain why they came to the rally:

Max Katz, a new immigrant from South Africa, says: "I was brought up during apartheid and it's easy to see how people can be led into dark things."

Stephanie Kaufman, originally from New York, says: "It makes me sick to my stomach what's happening in America."

Hundreds attended the rally held in solidarity with the Women's March on Washington. While those who were invited to the protest were primarily Americans, many native Israelis were in attendance. (Judy Maltz) Read full story

Anti-Trump rally in Tel Aviv, January 21, 2017. Ariel David

Haaretz

21.01.2017 | 21:00

Transportation figures suggested more people attended D.C. march than inauguration

Figures from transportation officials in Washington suggest more people may be on the National Mall for the Women's March than came for President Donald Trump's inauguration.

As of 11 A.M. Saturday, 275,000 people had taken trips on the city's subway system.

On Inauguration Day, 193,000 trips had been taken as of that time, and the rail system opened an hour earlier that day, at 4 A.M.

Chanting slogans like "the People united will never be divided," "This is what democracy looks like" and "Keep your golden showers in Trump towers," protestors taking the D.C. metro to the march made the most of the long wait to get to the exit at L'Enfant Plaza.

Many were clad in hand-knit pussyhats, forming a sea of pink. Others wore pink tiaras, some fashioned to look like the Statue of Liberty's crown or bearing messages like: "Off with his hands" and "Feminist Killjoy."

Signs, many of which were handmade, rallied the crowds with sentiments like: "Silence equals violence," "Representation not Exploitation," and Obama's famous motto "Yes we can."

Saturday's metro ridership figures were more than eight times a normal Saturday and busier than most weekdays.

In addition, some 1,800 buses were registered to park in the city. Greyhound reported adding more buses from New York. And a commuter rail system in Washington added five times its normal capacity to help deal with the crowds. (Marisa Fox-Bevilacqua and AP)

Haaretz

21.01.2017 | 20:34

More than 600 marches held around the world

More than 600 demonstrations were held today across the United States and the world in solidarity with the Women's March on Washington.

A woman wears a U.S. flag like a hijab during a protest front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on January 21, 2017. Gregor Fischer, DPA/AFP

Demonstrators protest against U.S. President Donald Trump next to the U.S. embassy during the Women's March in Lisbon, Portugal January 21, 2017. Rafael Marchante, Reuters

Haaretz

21.01.2017 | 20:17

Hundreds rally in Tel Aviv against Trump, Netanyahu

Several hundred demonstrators are participating in a protest outside the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv in solidarity with the Women's March on Washington.

They are carrying posters that read "bridge not wall" and "love trumps hate." Several are carrying anti-Netanyahu banners. (Judy Maltz) Read full story

The anti-Trump march in Tel Aviv, January 21, 2017. John-Michael Kibrick

Haaretz

21.01.2017 | 19:44

Trump gets view of protesters

U.S. President Donald Trump is getting a view of the protesters in town for the Women's March from the window of his limo.

Trump's motorcade was on its way back to the White House from a prayer service when he passed several prominent groups of protesters.

As he crossed one intersection, cars started honking loudly.

Some of the protesters held up signs that likened women's rights to human rights. It's a nod to a famous speech that former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton gave in China as first lady.

Other signs read "We stand with Planned Parenthood." (AP)

Haaretz

21.01.2017 | 18:58

Michael Moore: 'Were in day two of the Trump tragedy'

Filmmaker Michael Moore said that were in day two of the Trump tragedy but called on demonstrators to resist the Trump agenda.

He urged support for Rep. Keith Ellison in his bid for the position of Democratic National Committee chair.

The Old Guard of the Democratic party has to go! he declared, putting in a push for the progressive wing to increase its influence over the party, saying that the Democrats needed new leadership with more young people, and more members of minority groups and the LGBT community. We need to take over the Democratic party! he said.

Moore exhorted participants to join organizations fighting the Trump agenda and make them YUUUGE. His call was part of an effort to translate the unprecedented turnout at the protest into real political action.

He also called on participants to run for office, saying that being shy was no excuse, confessing that he was shy, and yet he ran for the local school board at age 18. And I only went on two dates in high school. I did this, you can do this!

On the fight to prevent the deportation of illegal immigrants, all activists have to declare that you are not going to come to my city and take my Mexican brothers and sisters away. (Allison Kaplan Sommer)

Haaretz

21.01.2017 | 18:29

Gloria Steinem: We've elected an impossible president

Referring to Trump's inauguration speech, feminist icon Gloria Steinem says:

Everything that happened before him was a disaster and everything that he would do would be fantastic, the best ever, miracles and all the superlatives.

He said he was for the people... I have met the people and you are not them.

We have people power we will use it, she said.

This is the upside of the downside. This is an outpouring of energy and true democracy that I have never seen in my very long life. It is wide in age, it is deep in diversity and remember the constitution does not begin with I the president it begins with we the people.

If you force Muslims to register, we will all register as Muslims, she added.

This is a day that will change us forever because we are together, she said. When we elect a possible president, we too often go home. Weve elected an impossible president, were never going home. Were staying together, were taking over, Steinem said.

Gloria Steinem greets protesters at the barricades before speaking at the Women's March on Washington during the first full day of Donald Trump's presidency, Jan. 21, 2017 in Washington. — Gloria Steinem, center right, greets protesters at the barricades before speaking at the Women's March on Washington during the first full day of Donald Trump's presidency, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017 in John Minchillo, AP

Haaretz

21.01.2017 | 18:03

Clinton praises Women's March attendees

Hillary Clinton is praising those attending the Women's March on Washington.

The former Democratic nominee for president is thanking attendees on Twitter for "standing, speaking and marching for our values." She says it's as "important as ever."

Clinton is also reviving her campaign slogan and says in the tweet she believes "we're always Stronger Together."

Clinton's show of support for the march comes a day after she attended U.S. President Donald Trump's inauguration at the U.S. Capitol. (AP)

Haaretz

21.01.2017 | 18:02

Trump attends interfaith prayer; Jewish cantor opens service

On his first morning as president, Donald Trump, his wife Melania, and their family, together with the family of Vice President Mike Pence, headed to the Washington National Cathedral for an interfaith prayer service.

At the very beginning of the service, the booming voice of Cantor Mikhail Manevich from the Washington Hebrew Congregation, a Reform synagogue, rang out with chants of the Jewish prayers Shma Yisrael (Hear O Israel) and the Viyahafta (You Shall Love).

His early placement may have been a nod to the presence of the Jewish members of the Trump family – Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, and their children – on the Jewish Sabbath.

He was followed by a reading delivered by Rabbi Fred Raskind from Temple Bet Yam in St. Augustine, Florida. The rabbi and cantor were followed by blessings delivered by 24 other members of the clergy representing Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Mormon, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, and Baháí traditions, but with an especially heavy representation of evangelical Christians, who strongly supported the Trump-Pence ticket in the election.

The Muslim call to prayer was made by Imam Mohamed Magid, who was criticized by many fellow Muslims for participating in an event honoring Trump, who is viewed as being hostile to the Muslim-American community. He defended his decision on his Facebook page: One of the tasks of the religious leader is to convey the truth and the values of Islam to everyone, including those in power, to advocate for what is good, and to address those who misunderstand and have misconceptions about the beauty of Islam.

For years, the Washington National Cathedral, an Episcopal parish with a dual role as a civic gathering place, has hosted a prayer service for the newly sworn-in president. But keeping the tradition this year caused an uproar among the predominantly liberal Episcopalians opposed to Trump.

The Very Rev. Randolph Hollerith, the cathedral dean, defended the decision to participate in the ceremonies. Our willingness to pray and sing with everyone today does not mean we wont join with others in protest tomorrow, he said in a statement.

U.S. President Donald Trump greets a member during a prayer service at Washington National Cathedral the morning after his inauguration, in Washington, January 21, 2017. Carlos Barria, Reuters

Haaretz

21.01.2017 | 18:00

Protesters in New York 'sad and inspired simultaneously'

Caren Kramer Singer got to Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, opposite the United Nations, well before the start time of the New York City sister march.

There were already huge crowds, she told Haaretz. "Men women and children. Its truly remarkable."

Singer is a co-leader of the Sisterhood of Salaam-Shalom Manhattan chapter, and is marching with friends. Trump may ignore us but the marches against him will go down in history. So much energy!

The NYC march is one of 673 sister marches taking place worldwide, according to the main Womens March website.

Across Manhattan, the building of Congregation Bnai Jeshurun was packed as a Jewish contingent gathered before marching together to join the main group.

Its electric, said Sally Gottesman, an organizational consultant there with her three young children, despite the fact that she was battling a fever. People of all ages are singing and studying. Everyone feels motivated.

I actually feel sad and inspired simultaneously, said Gottesman.

Speakers included neighborhood Rabbis Joanna Samuels, Shai Held and Congressman Jerome Nadler. Samuels, who works as director of the Manny Cantor Center, a community center on the Lower East Side, spoke about the women leaders in this weeks Torah portion. They include the midwives Shifra and Puah, who disobeyed the Pharoahs orders and rescued Jewish boys, including Moses, the future leader of the Israelites out of slavery, and said that women today have the same responsibility to take action. (Debra Nussbaum Cohen

Caren Kramer Singer (R) with Sabeeha Rehman, a friend from the Sisterhood of Salaam-Shalom Manhattan Chapter. Caren Kramer Singer

Haaretz

21.01.2017 | 17:41

America Ferrera: 'We are under attack'

As the women's march is kicking off, thousands are still streaming in. "We are under attack, each and every one of us," says actress and activist America Ferrera.

Mr Trump, we refuse. We reject the demonization of our Muslim brothers and sisters," she says. "We demand an end to the systemic murder and incarceration of our black brothers and sisters. We will not give up our right to a safe and legal abortion. We will not ask our LGBT families to go backwards. We will not go from being a nation of immigrants to a nation of immigrants.

The crowd chants "yes we can" and "dump trump." (Asher Schechter)

Ginger Naglee from Olney, Md., reacts during the Women's March on Washington on Independence Ave. on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017 in Washington. Sait Serkan Gurbuz, AP

Haaretz

21.01.2017 | 17:28

Turnout estimate now at 500,000, double initial predictions

A city official in Washington says the turnout estimate for the Women's March on the National Mall now stands at 500,000 people. That's more than double the initial predictions.

Kevin Donahue is Washington's deputy mayor for public safety and justice. He says on Twitter that organizers of the march are increasing the turnout estimate to half a million.

There were early signs across Washington that Saturday's crowds could top those that gathered on Friday to watch U.S. President Donald Trump's inauguration.

Metro subway stations and train cars are full in many locations, while ridership on Friday was well off the numbers from Barack Obama's first inaugural.

The march's National Park Service permit estimated a turnout of 200,000, but the District of Columbia's homeland security chief had previously predicted turnout would be higher. (AP)

Haaretz

21.01.2017 | 17:18

The full list of speakers and performers

The full list of speakers and performers at the Women's March on Washington:

Cecile Richards
Erika Andiola
Ilyasah Shabazz
Bob Alotta
Janet Mock
LaDonna Harris
Maryum Ali
Melanie Campbell
Rabbi Sharon Brous
Rhea Suh, Sister Simone Campbell
Sophie Cruz
Zahra Billoo
America Ferrera
Angela Davis
Gloria Steinem
Ashley Judd
Scarlett Johansson
Melissa Harris-Perry
Michael Moore
Amanda Nguyen
Randi Weingarten
Van Jones
George Gresham
Mothers of the Movement (Sybrina Fulton, Lucy McBath, Maria Hamilton, Gwen Carr)
Hina Naveed
Judith LaBlanc
Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner
Aida Hurtado
Melissa Mays
Raquel Willis
Rosyln Brock
Sister Ieasha Prime
Mayor Muriel Bowser
Ai-jen Poo
Wendy Carrillo
Cynthia Hale
March co-chairs Bob Bland, Carmen Perez, Linda Sarsour and Tamika Mallory.
March organizers also announced performances by the following artists:
Janelle Monáe
Maxwell
Angelique Kidjo
Toshi Reagon
Samantha Ronson
Emily Wells
DJ Rekha
MC Lyte
St. Beauty
Beverly Bond
Alia Sharief
DJ Rimarkable
Amber Coffman
Indigo Girls
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Climbing PoeTree

Haaretz

21.01.2017 | 17:11

Women's March on Washington kicks off

The Women's March on Washington event kicked off at 10 A.M. local time with a rally on the corner of 3rd St and Independence Ave. Speakers will include Cecile Richards of Planned Parenthood, activists Gloria Steinem and Angela Davis, actresses Ashley Judd and Scarlett Johansson and filmmaker Michael Moore.

The march will begin at 1:15 P.M., concluding at 4 P.M. at the Washington Monument.

Haaretz

21.01.2017 | 16:37

Jewish Reform group holds prayer prior to march

The Jewish Reform Movement's Religious Action Center organized an event on Saturday morning, an hour and a half before the beginning of the march, under the headline "Nosh, Pray, March." Hundreds of supporters gathered in downtown Washington for a joint prayer before attending the demonstration, including Rep. Jacky Rosen (D-NV), a first-term member of Congress who used to be the president of Ner Tamid, a reform synagogue in her home district in Nevada. Rosen was among the dozens of Democratic legislators who chose not to attend the presidential inauguration on Friday in protest of President Trump's remarks during the election campaign and the transition period. (Amir Tibon)

Haaretz

21.01.2017 | 16:24

Womens March steps up security in wake of Friday riots

Organizers of the Women's March on Washington have increased planned security measures in light of a downtown riot on Friday that led to violent clashes with police. Read the full story

Haaretz

21.01.2017 | 15:28

Thousands take part in women's march in London

Thousands are attending the Women's March in London. According to The Guardian, the march drew a variety of groups: activists for the rights of migrants, women, and LGBTQ people, as well as anti-war protesters.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan was scheduled to join the march. According to The Guardian, Khan said:

"As a feminist in City Hall I fully support the fight for gender equality. Its wrong that in 2017 someones life chances and fundamental rights are still dependent on their gender.

"In recent decades weve made good progress, but there is still so much more for us to do and we must redouble our efforts to make sure that as we strive for equality we do not lose all that we have achieved.

"As I march today I am more determined than ever to do everything I can to ensure that all girls growing up in London have the same opportunities in life as men."

Protesters take part in the Women's March on London, as they walk from the American Embassy to Trafalgar Square, in central London, January 21, 2017. Neil Hall, Reuters

Haaretz

21.01.2017 | 15:21

Anti-Trump Americans in Israel to demonstrate in solidarity

American-Israelis opposed to Donald Trump will hold a demonstration outside the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv in solidarity with the Women's March in Washington. Read the full story

Haaretz

21.01.2017 | 15:20

Jewish women divided over march

Members of some Jewish organizations arent marching because of Shabbat, while others fear the event might push an agenda hostile to Israel. But there are those who are marching no matter what. Read the full story