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As it happenedended

Women's March: 500,000 people take to the streets of Washington amid global Trump protests - as it happened

Up to 2.5 million people gather at demonstrations all over the world 

Siobhan Fenton
London, New York
,Lizzie Dearden,Feliks Garcia
Saturday 21 January 2017 05:34 EST
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Thousands join London Women's March

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More than half a million have gathered in Washington to protest Donald Trump's inauguration, while millions of others - including an estimated 100,000 people marching through London - have taken part in demonstrations around the world. Here are how events unfolded:

Please wait a moment for the live blog to load

Women's Marches are a collective of events against the 45th President are taking place at different cities around the world. The London march is expected to be among the biggest outside the US, with thousands of protesters attending from noon.

Thousands more are expected to march on New York and Washington, while protests have also taken place in countries including Australia and New Zealand.

Organisers say they decided to organise the action due to their distress and dismay at the politician's election. Although originating in the US, off-shoots soon emerged around the world as others overseas sought to show solidarity.

Mr Trump was criticised for expressing misogynistic beliefs during the election campaign. Such criticisms intensified as video footage emerged of the politician appearing to gloat about committing sexual assault.

He has also been accused of having "ableist" attitudes after mocking a journalist who has a disability.

Concerns have also been raised that Mr Trump denies climate change and has been critical of LGBT rights.

The march is billed as "woman-led" but welcomes "people of all genders".

In its mission statement, the march organisers say: "We will march, wherever we march, for the protection of our fundamental rights and for the safeguarding of freedoms threatened by recent political events. We unite and stand together for the dignity and equality of all peoples, for the safety and health of our planet and for the strength of our vibrant and diverse communities.

"We will come together in the spirit of democracy, honouring the champions of human rights who have gone before us. Please spread the word, so that our numbers are too great to ignore and the message to the world is clear.The politics of fear and division have no place in 2017."

High profile speakers including Labour MPs Yvette Cooper and Stella Creasy are to address the crowds.

And with that - while protests continue across the US - we are wrapping up our live blog coverage. Thanks for joining us.

Lizzie Dearden21 January 2017 23:24

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