Donald Trump counter-protestors burst into tears as some claimed the incoming President represents a road to fascism.
The ‘Women’s March’ in central Washington yesterday saw around 30,000 left-wing opponents of the president, largely female, descend on the Lincoln Memorial to voice fury and fear at what Mr Trump’s return signals for them.
The rally also attracted splinter groups, including those protesting for transgender children, Black Lives Matter groups, environmental groups, and even one pair protesting the forthcoming ban on TikTok.
Speaking to the Daily Express in the US capital, one protestor dressed as a character from The Handmaid’s Tale welled up as she expressed “terror” at Donald Trump’s impending second term in office.
Meredith Gregory, a registered nurse from Ohio, said she was now looking at leaving the country such is her opposition to, and fear of, Donald Trump.
With tears in her eyes she said: “I cried when I saw the election results, I was in disbelief that we’re in such a country that’s built in such hate that we want to oppress people, we’re worried about trans children, and LGBTQ rights.”
“I think we’re going in a bad direction. I’m terrified of how this term is going to go.
“I have my nursing licence to maintain, but I’ve looked at moving out of the country because I don’t want to be here any more. This is a scary place.”
Against a backdrop of anger-fuelled speeches being pumped out of the loudspeakers, sisters Hilary Gettman and Heidi Gettman accused the United States of sliding into fascism under Donald Trump.
Hilary, from Boston, claimed: “The fact people are kowtowing to this man – their flags have his name on them, that’s never happened before in this country. It’s very disturbing.”
“This is like the beginning of the rise of a fascist leader.
“That might sound hyperbolic but World War II was kind of my thing in college, I was a history major, and it’s very frightening.”
An older male protester called Rick, hold a sign reading “I’m a grandpa, that’s why” explained he had come to Washington to protest Donald Trump’s plans on the environment and their rights.
“I just want a better world for them, and with this new administration coming in I don’t think they’ll have that”.
Asked what he fears specifically, Rick cited Mr Trump’s support for fossil fuels, having called on America to “drill baby, drill”.
A science teacher, the man blasted Donald Trump’s pick for Education Secretary, Linda McMahon, who is most famous for her previous role at the World Wide Wrestling Federation.
He described the pick as “unconscionable”.
The Express also talked to Kim Zaninovich and her 14-year-old daughter Kia, with the former accusing white women of letting the side down by failing to oppose Donald Trump at the ballot box in sufficient numbers.
The feminist march attendee accused white women of “feeling like they cannot lead so they refused to invest in a woman who can lead” after many refused to back Kamala Harris in November.
Kia said she was looking forward to being able to vote in four years’ time and will remain politically active after her young start.
