Peoples March Rebrands Women's March to Unite Progressives Before Trump's Inauguration

Elisabeth Bramble recalls the 2017 Women's March as a pivotal moment in her life. She and her sister joined the vast crowds in Washington, D.C. This Saturday, she plans to join a busload of North Carolinians heading to the capital for the People's March, a rebranded event occurring before President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. "We're marching once again for our daughters and our granddaughters," Bramble said. "We're marching for our immigrant community. We're marching for our LGBTQ community."

The People's March aims to address a wider range of issues than its predecessor, focusing on women's rights, LGBTQ rights, immigration, climate change, and democracy. Tamika Middleton, managing director of the Women's March, explained that the event seeks to broaden its support base and reflect the priorities of a larger coalition of organisations. "We're recognising the necessity of having a really broad-based coalition that is bringing people in," Middleton said. "We're asking ourselves how we build a big tent that allows for the kind of multiracial, multi-class, multi-gender mass movement that can make a difference politically in the coming years."

Focus on Inclusivity and Broader Goals

The original Women's March in 2017 was sparked by outrage over Trump's election victory. It drew over 500,000 participants to Washington and millions more across the country. This year, organisers are focusing on inclusivity and broader goals rather than solely opposing Trump. The People's March is expected to attract around 50,000 attendees, significantly fewer than in 2017. It is one of several events planned ahead of inauguration Monday, addressing issues like abortion rights and immigration.

Since its inception, the Women's March has faced internal challenges and criticism. Allegations of racism and antisemitism led to leadership changes and loss of support from sponsors. The movement was also criticised for prioritising straight white women's voices over those of women of colour and the LGBTQ+ community. Raquel Willis, a transgender activist and co-founder of Gender Liberation Movement, expressed concerns about trans exclusion within feminist movements during the 2017 march.

Adapting to Political Changes

Middleton acknowledged that recreating the numbers from 2017 is not their aim this time. Instead, they hope to energise voters and attract new members after what she described as a challenging 2020 election season. "We need to keep bringing in new people for a movement to be sustainable and to relieve some of the pressure off those who need to rest," she said.

The political landscape has shifted since Trump's decisive win and Republicans gaining control of Congress. Many Democrats are experiencing political fatigue and soul-searching after recent election losses. A December survey by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that about two-thirds of US adults felt overwhelmed by politics and government news.

Building a Sustainable Movement

Raquel Willis noted that since 2017, the Women's March has become a key collaborator with her group. She will return as a speaker this year, acknowledging the organisation's leadership transformation. "The Women's March is in a different era and deserves a chance to show us what their expanded vision is," she said.

Looking ahead to the 2026 midterm elections, organisers aim to help participants find a political home through themes like feminism, racial justice, anti-militarisation, and more. The march will conclude with discussions hosted by various social justice organisations.