The inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States on January 20, 2025 was met with a wave of protests across the country, with particularly large demonstrations taking place in New York City and Washington D.C. Thousands of activists, concerned citizens, and members of various advocacy groups took to the streets to voice their opposition to Trump’s controversial stances on key issues like immigration and abortion rights.
New York Protests: “We’re Not Leaving”
In New York, a massive crowd gathered outside the iconic Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue, the centerpiece of the President’s real estate empire. Demonstrators chanted slogans, waved signs, and pledged to resist Trump’s agenda, particularly his promise to carry out widespread deportations of undocumented immigrants.
“We’re not going anywhere,” declared Maria Hernandez, a 26-year-old protester originally from Mexico. “This is our home, and we will fight to protect our communities from Trump’s hate and bigotry.”
The New York rally, organized by a coalition of immigrant rights groups, drew a diverse crowd of thousands, filling the streets around Trump Tower and stretching for several blocks. Speakers at the event denounced Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric and urged the public to stand in solidarity with those targeted by his policies.
“Today, we send a clear message to President Trump: we will not be intimidated, we will not be silenced, and we will not allow you to tear apart our families and our communities,”
– Amira Sahar, a protest organizer
The demonstration remained largely peaceful, with only a handful of arrests reported. However, the turnout and the passion of the protesters served as a stark reminder of the deep divisions and the significant opposition Trump faces as he begins his term.
Fears Over Abortion Rights Spark D.C. Rally
Meanwhile, in the nation’s capital, a separate demonstration focused on the threat to abortion access under a Trump presidency. The protest, held at the National Mall, was organized in response to fears that the new administration, along with a conservative majority on the Supreme Court, could further roll back reproductive rights after the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022.
“We cannot allow President Trump and his allies to continue their assault on women’s bodily autonomy,” said Lila Mendez, a college student who traveled from Virginia to attend the rally. “Abortion is health care, and health care is a human right.”
Demonstrators carried signs with slogans like “My Body, My Choice” and “Abortion is Health Care” as they marched from the Mall to the steps of the Supreme Court. There, a series of speakers, including activists, health care providers, and women who have had abortions, shared their stories and called for action to protect access to reproductive services.
“We will not go back to the days of back-alley abortions and women dying from lack of access to safe, legal care. We will fight with everything we have to ensure that abortion remains accessible to all who need it, no matter their income or zip code.”
– Olivia Sanchez, a women’s health advocate
The D.C. protest, while smaller than the New York demonstration, still drew a significant crowd of several thousand people, highlighting the ongoing fight over abortion rights in a post-Roe America.
A Resistance Takes Shape
The protests in New York and Washington D.C. were just two of many nationwide demonstrations that took place on Inauguration Day, reflecting the significant resistance and opposition President Trump faces as he takes office. From immigration to abortion rights to climate change, activists and concerned citizens have vowed to push back against Trump’s agenda and fight for progressive values.
“Today is just the beginning,” said Sophia Patel, an organizer with the group Indivisible. “We are building a movement that will stand up to President Trump at every turn, holding him accountable and working to protect our rights and freedoms. He may be in the White House, but we have the power of the people on our side.”
As the Trump presidency unfolds, it is clear that the resistance will be a force to be reckoned with, shaping the political landscape and the battles to come over the next four years. The Inauguration Day protests serve as a powerful reminder that, for millions of Americans, the fight for a more just and equitable future is far from over.
“We cannot allow President Trump and his allies to continue their assault on women’s bodily autonomy,” said Lila Mendez, a college student who traveled from Virginia to attend the rally. “Abortion is health care, and health care is a human right.”
Demonstrators carried signs with slogans like “My Body, My Choice” and “Abortion is Health Care” as they marched from the Mall to the steps of the Supreme Court. There, a series of speakers, including activists, health care providers, and women who have had abortions, shared their stories and called for action to protect access to reproductive services.
“We will not go back to the days of back-alley abortions and women dying from lack of access to safe, legal care. We will fight with everything we have to ensure that abortion remains accessible to all who need it, no matter their income or zip code.”
– Olivia Sanchez, a women’s health advocate
The D.C. protest, while smaller than the New York demonstration, still drew a significant crowd of several thousand people, highlighting the ongoing fight over abortion rights in a post-Roe America.
A Resistance Takes Shape
The protests in New York and Washington D.C. were just two of many nationwide demonstrations that took place on Inauguration Day, reflecting the significant resistance and opposition President Trump faces as he takes office. From immigration to abortion rights to climate change, activists and concerned citizens have vowed to push back against Trump’s agenda and fight for progressive values.
“Today is just the beginning,” said Sophia Patel, an organizer with the group Indivisible. “We are building a movement that will stand up to President Trump at every turn, holding him accountable and working to protect our rights and freedoms. He may be in the White House, but we have the power of the people on our side.”
As the Trump presidency unfolds, it is clear that the resistance will be a force to be reckoned with, shaping the political landscape and the battles to come over the next four years. The Inauguration Day protests serve as a powerful reminder that, for millions of Americans, the fight for a more just and equitable future is far from over.
