Celebrities to march against Trump on inaguration day

Almost 100 groups for and against Donald Trump plan to demonstrate in the US capital over three days, including 63 on the day of his inauguration ceremony.

Trump

America Ferrera in New York, September 2016. Source: AAP

Tens of thousands of people are expected to join protests in Washington DC and beyond as Donald Trump becomes the new president of the United States.

Security officials say 99 groups - for and against Mr Trump - plan to demonstrate in the US capital over three days, including 63 on the day of the inauguration ceremony.

The largest demonstration will take place in Washington on Saturday - a day after Mr Trump is sworn in as president - when some 200,000 people are expected to join a women's march.

Celebrities including Scarlett Johansson, Amy Schumer and Patricia Arquette have pledged they will attend the protest, while similar events are being planned in a number of US cities including Los Angeles and Park City, Utah.

Ugly Betty star America Ferrera, who is helping organise the Washington protest, said: "Since the election, so many fear that their voices will go unheard.

"As artists, women, and most importantly dedicated Americans, it is critical that we stand together in solidarity for the protection, dignity and rights of our communities."
Many of the women will be wearing pink knitted hats with cat ears - a reference to comments made by Mr Trump in a 2005 leaked video in which he bragged about grabbing women's genitals.

Women's marches are also planned in other cities around the world including London and Sydney.

Other protests are being staged by Disrupt J20 which says it will try to shut down or cause delays at security checkpoints at the inauguration ceremony in Washington.

Anti-war group, the Answer Coalition, is planning demonstrations at the US Navy Memorial and Freedom Plaza near to the White House.

Meanwhile, a group calling itself Occupy Inauguration plans to rally on the morning of the inauguration ceremony at Meridian Hill Park, near the White House.

The group said speakers at the rally will include 2016 Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein.

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson has said 28,000 officials will be involved in the security operation in Washington, including more than 3,000 police officers and 5,000 members of the National Guard.

An estimated 700,000 to 900,000 people are expected in the city to watch Mr Trump become president on Friday, compared to a crowd of 1.8 million that watched President Barack Obama's inauguration in 2009.

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3 min read
Published 18 January 2017 3:44pm
Updated 18 January 2017 5:17pm
Source: AAP


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