January 18, 2025

On November 5, 2024 President Elect Donald J. Trump won his second election for President of the United States. On January 6, 2025 Congress certified the results with Vice President Kamala Harris, the runner up of the election, presiding over the counting of the electoral college votes, the day’s proceedings a stark difference from those only 4 years prior. As the peaceful transfer of power took shape, President Joe Biden used his remaining days in office to push forth on goals like the pardon of 2,500 non violent drug offenders, new sanctions on Russia and continued funding for Ukraine, banning new offshore drilling in much of the U.S. coast, and in a huge win for Women’s rights and Queer activists the declaration of the Equal Rights Amendment.

The Equal Rights Amendment was originally written in 1923 by Alice Paul, a leader in the women’s suffrage movement. The bill was introduced every session for decades, but continued to fail to pass. It was re-written in 1943, based more closely on the language of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. It wasn’t until 1972 that Congress passed the Equal Rights Amendment but over the following decades the Amendment would continue to fail its ratification. In 2020, Virginia became the 38th state to ratify the Amendment, thus meeting the threshold, and 5 years later on January 17, 2025 President Biden declared the 28th Amendment ratified and the law of the land, guaranteeing men and women equal rights.

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As the results of the 2024 election show an unexpected red shift in the eyes of Progressives across the country, with republicans in control of Congress, the White House and a continued republican majority Supreme Court, activists were quick to take to the streets. A reflection to where it all began with the first Women’s March in 2017 during which millions took to the streets of Washington D.C. following Trump’s first victory, the streets filled again for The People’s March. Thousands gathered in D.C. at Farragut Square, Franklin Park, and McPherson Square in three main contingents: Women’s and LGBTQ rights, Pro-Palestine and climate change, and Pro-democracy and Justice in D.C.. All rallied and marched to their final destination where thousands protested at the footsteps of the Lincoln Memorial, surrounding the frozen reflecting pool.