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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
Comments
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:

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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.

Lizzie Dearden21 January 2017 15:38

Charlie Brotman, who had been the announcer for inaugural parades since 1957 until Donald Trump chose not to use him, is among those at the Washington march.

He greeted the crowd and blew kisses, not initially realising chants of “Charlie! Charlie!” were for him.

“At first I said it sounded like they should have a female since it’s a women march,” he said. “And they said that they have all the women they want and at this particular scene I would add to it.”

Lizzie Dearden21 January 2017 15:44

Lizzie Dearden21 January 2017 15:46

These signs are getting better and better.

Lizzie Dearden21 January 2017 15:51

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 President Donald Trump's inauguration, with Metro stations and trains full.

Lizzie Dearden21 January 2017 15:52
Lizzie Dearden21 January 2017 15:55

Simone, an American woman living in Amsterdam, has sent us an online "virtual march" she and other expats have made for those unable to make today's protests in person.

She said:

"It’s a march through the monuments of D.C. with quotes taken from Twitter in place of placards. If democracy is said to happen on the streets, we wanted to create the streets of the internet."

Lizzie Dearden21 January 2017 16:00

Lizzie Dearden21 January 2017 16:07

Celebrities including ex-England rugby captain Chris Robshaw and Iron Man 3 actress Rebecca Hall were spotted among the throngs of people in London.

Hall said she joined the march because she is half American and half English, and said she would have joined the Washington DC demonstration if she had been in the US.

She added: “Yesterday was a confusing day and a sad day - I was sad to see Obama leave ... We do not know what the Government is going to be like.”

Labour MP Harriet Harman was joined on the march by friend and American-British playwright Bonnie Greer.

Referring to Mr Obama, Ms Harman said: “It's just a shame they have a two-term limit, isn't it?”

Ms Greer warned that Mr Trump's presidency was “not a joke”, adding: “This is for real and I think this march demonstrates that London understands that.”

Labour MP Yvette Cooper, who spoke at the rally, told the Press Association: “When the most powerful man in the world says it's okay to sexually assault women because you are rich and powerful, we have to stand up and say 'no way'.

"I think this is a march for equality and action for the future. We don't want the clock being turned back on women's equality.”

Lizzie Dearden21 January 2017 16:12
Lizzie Dearden21 January 2017 16:13

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