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Thousands rally for second Women's March on Raleigh one year since Trump inauguration

On the one year anniversary of the inauguration of President Donald Trump, thousands gathered in Raleigh's Halifax Mall to build support for a liberal-leaning agenda on issues such as women's rights, reproductive rights, immigration reform, healthcare reform, LGBTQ rights and environmental issues.

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By
Hannah Webster
, WRAL.com editor
RALEIGH, N.C. — On the one year anniversary of the inauguration of President Donald Trump, between 5,000 and 10,000 people gathered in Raleigh's Halifax Mall to build support for a liberal-leaning agenda on issues such as women's rights, reproductive rights, immigration reform, healthcare reform, LGBTQ rights and environmental issues.

Saturday was the one-year anniversary of the Women's March on Raleigh, and was one of the rallies held around the country and world. The original Women's Marches were held a year ago this weekend as a response to the Trump presidency.

Thousands of people rallied in Downtown Raleigh Saturday morning on the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump's inauguration to build support for a liberal-leaning agenda on issues like abortion, immigration and civil rights.

This year's Women's March also comes amid the growing #MeToo movement, which has shed light on sexual misconduct. It's also months before the midterm elections, and progressives are hoping to turn their activism into victories at the ballot box.

It featured music and more than a dozen women from different political, religious and activist groups.

Marchers gathered across the country hours after much of the federal government shut down when Congress failed to reach an agreement on a spending measure.

Trump tweeted about the marches Saturday morning.

Many now claim the Women's March will become an annual event. The largest rallies in North Carolina were held in Charlotte, Raleigh, Winston-Salem, Asheville and Hillsborough.

Activists of all ages wore pink hats and carried handmade signs that read "We're still here" and "One year is enough."

Raleigh's crowd was diverse in age, race, gender and sexual orientation.

Among the protesters were also hundreds of children.

Holly Springs resident Amanda Lumm brought her 6- and 7-year-old daughters to Saturday's rally.

"I think it's just as important for them to get a taste of this as I get a taste of this, and that we can make our voices heard, so that change can happen," she said.

Thousands of people rallied in Downtown Raleigh Saturday morning on the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump's inauguration to build support for a liberal-leaning agenda on issues like abortion, immigration and civil rights.

Michael Cutts brought his son and daughter to Halifax Square.

"I'm just here for the past, present and future of all women," Michael Cutts said. "My wife, my daughter, so that I could be a part of this progression."

Jessie Askew's toddler daughters came to the rally dressed as "Super Girl" and "Wonder Woman."

"I think it's important that we start early teaching them about women's rights and what activism is," she said. "As far as who they become, I just want them to be strong and kind."

Jill Burns said she hopes the movement will evolve to produce changes in their lifetimes.

She brought her daughters to the rally, including 11-year-old Delaney Burns.

"Because I should make as much as my brother," Delaney said.

Thousands of people rallied in Downtown Raleigh Saturday morning on the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump's inauguration to build support for a liberal-leaning agenda on issues like abortion, immigration and civil rights.
Thousands of people rallied in Downtown Raleigh Saturday morning on the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump's inauguration to build support for a liberal-leaning agenda on issues like abortion, immigration and civil rights.
Thousands of people rallied in Downtown Raleigh Saturday morning on the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump's inauguration to build support for a liberal-leaning agenda on issues like abortion, immigration and civil rights.
Thousands of people rallied in Downtown Raleigh Saturday morning on the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump's inauguration to build support for a liberal-leaning agenda on issues like abortion, immigration and civil rights.
Thousands of people rallied in Downtown Raleigh Saturday morning on the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump's inauguration to build support for a liberal-leaning agenda on issues like abortion, immigration and civil rights.
Thousands of people rallied in Downtown Raleigh Saturday morning on the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump's inauguration to build support for a liberal-leaning agenda on issues like abortion, immigration and civil rights.

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