We refuse, women tell Donald Trump

Washington: Women in pink “pussyhats” flooded into Washington by the train-load on Saturday for a massive rights march set to draw hundreds of thousands in defiance of America’s hardline new president, Donald Trump.

Actress America Ferrera speaking at the start of the Women’s March on Washington rally said “every single one of us” is under attack by President Donald Trump. She said people have gathered in the capital and across the country to say to Trump, “We refuse.”

Metro stations overflowed as trains packed to bursting moved cheering, clapping marchers into the city for what was expected to be a record-breaking inauguration-related protest.

Women made up the overwhelming majority of the people who emerged whooping and cheering from Washington’s Union Station, arriving on jam-packed trains and buses.

The incoming tide of women in knitted pink hats flushed through a city that the day before had welcomed throngs of Trump supporters in red “Make America Great Again!” caps for the Republican’s swearing-in to a four year term.

Meanwhile, thousands of people marched through central London as part of a global day of protests against Mr Trump and his derogatory remarks about women. The largely female crowd, which also had many men and children, marched from the US embassy to Trafalgar Square, chanting “dump Trump” and waving banners demanding equal rights.

“Trump Special Relationship: Just Say No” and “Our Rights Are Not For Grabs — Neither Are We” were among the banners held aloft, along with “We shall overcomb” and “Make bigotry wrong again”.

Women and men in cities around the world — including Sydney, Berlin, London, Paris and Cape Town, South Africa — took to the streets in solidarity with the Washington protesters.

In Wenceslas Square in freezing conditions, they waved the portraits of President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, as well banners that read: “This is just the beginning.”

Hillary Clinton praised those attending the Women’s March on Washington. The former Democratic nominee for president thanked attendees on Twitter for “standing, speaking and marching for our values.”