Record Numbers Turn Out for Women’s March (photos)

More than 500,000 gathered in D.C. for the Women’s March on Washington, and several million more assembled in cities around the country and the world to rebuke President Donald Trump on Saturday, Jan. 21, the day following his inauguration. It was one of the biggest demonstrations in the city’s history, drawing favorable size comparisons to the Million Man March of 1995, according to many who were there for both. And it apparently caught city officials by surprise, with the Metro system experiencing one of its busiest days ever. The event was billed as a demonstration in support of women’s rights and civil rights. But there was no doubt that the focus of attention would be the 45th President.

Many in the crowd were wearing a “pussyhat” — a pink, cat-eared cap knitted from patterns available online. The name references infamous comments Trump made about sexually assaulting women in a 2005 recording that surfaced during the campaign.

This reporter noticed one small counter-demonstration against abortion, but for the most part, the rally was peaceful — in marked contrast to violent altercations and arrests during the inauguration.

Donald Trump comes into office with the lowest approval rating of any recent commander in chief, significantly more so among women. “Welcome to your first day, we will not go away!” was the greeting he received.

*View Jeff Malet’s photos from the Women’s March on Washington by clicking on the photo icons below*