Photos: Hundreds protest ahead of Trump's second term in downtown Boston

January 18, 2025

WBUR Newsroom

A crowd of protesters ended a march at the Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in and around Boston Common Saturday afternoon to advocate for human rights and protest against President-elect Donald Trump's second term in office.

The event, dubbed the People's March, was one of dozens of demonstrations around the country taking place over the weekend ahead of Trump's inauguration set for Monday.

A woman holds up a sign at the People's March on Boston Common. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

Crowds started trickling into the park around 10 a.m. Many donned pink, cat-eared "pussyhats" — which became a symbol for women's rights and gender equality in the first Trump presidency.

In Boston, organizing groups included the New England Independence Campaign, Ranked Choice Boston, and Voter Choice Massachusetts. Representatives from the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and Reproductive Equity Now set out tables.

Local elected officials and advocates delivered speeches on rights of women, the LGBTQ community, immigrants, and other minorities. Many spoke to feelings of fear and anxiety surrounding Trump’s second term and stressed the need for individual and collective resistance.

"At the end of the day, they can lock us up, they can tear us down, but they can't take away our hope. They can't take away our faith. They can't take away our dignity, and they can't take our ability to fight," said Boston City Councilor Julia Mejia.

Charlotte Ryan, a retired teacher, said she attended the rally in support of abortion rights.

"I'm terrified for everybody. I'm terrified for my students who are immigrants. I'm terrified for the people I work with," she said. "I'm terrified for anyone who is different and can be sort of marginalized or picked off in any way."

Following the speeches, attendees walked around the Boston Common chanting pro-democracy slogans accompanied by drums and brass instruments. The crowd dispersed early afternoon.

Below are scenes from the protest:

A group of protesters, many of them women, participated in the Boston People's March. Several held up signs on Boston Common. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

People's March protesters walk past the Frog Pond on their way across Boston Common. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

Boston City Councilor At-Large Julia Mejia speaks to protesters taking part in the People's March. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

A rainbow flag is hoisted up by a protester and floats over several participants' heads during the march on Boston Common. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

A line of demonstrators winds its way across Boston Common. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

With reporting by WBUR's Jesús Marrero Suárez.