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Lines of Loyalty, Streets of Resistance: A Look Inside Trump’s Inauguration Weekend

The mood in Washington, D.C. throughout the third weekend in January swung from one extreme to the other.

People gathered first for the People’s March on Jan. 19,. Then, the Victory Rally, followed by the Inauguration, which, due to extreme cold, was moved indoors.

 

Thousands gathered at the Lincoln Memorial to protest against Donald Trump’s 47th term as president of the United States. (Credit: Mariana Hernandez)

Thousands gathered at the Lincoln Memorial to protest against Donald Trump’s 47th term as president of the United States. (Credit: Mariana Hernández)

The Lincoln Memorial was surrounded by thousands of protesters gathered on the steps and spilling out onto the grounds. It was a sea of signs, chants, and impassioned voices—each group determined to make its presence known. The air buzzed with a sense of resistance, as people rallied for a variety of causes: LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, an end to the war in Gaza, and climate justice.

Demonstrators took to Washington, D.C. ahead of Trump's inauguration. (Credit: Mariana Hernandez)

Demonstrators took to Washington, D.C. ahead of Trump’s inauguration. (Credit: Mariana Hernández)

As the day wore on, the atmosphere at the Lincoln Memorial grew even more charged. Tensions flared when a group of religious activists arrived holding up signs condemning abortion and gay marriage. Their presence, starkly opposing the messages of many protesters, ignited heated exchanges. One side condemned women shouting “you women should stop killing your babies,” while the other chanted “my body my choice.” The air was thick with frustration and division.

 

Demonstrators took to Washington, D.C. ahead of Trump's inauguration. (Credit: Mariana Hernandez)

Demonstrators took to Washington, D.C. ahead of Trump’s inauguration. (Credit: Mariana Hernandez)

 

Serafina Tomasello and Kenzie Nicole, traveled from Pennsylvania to Washington, D.C. to join the People’s March. (Credit: Mariana Hernandez)

Serafina Tomasello and Kenzie Nicole, traveled from Pennsylvania to Washington, D.C. to join the People’s March. (Credit: Mariana Hernández)

 

U.S. Park Police kept protestors from each other. (Credit: Mariana Hernandez)

U.S. Park Police kept protestors from each other. (Credit: Mariana Hernández)

 

Protestors held megaphones in order to quiet down the messages from the religious groups against LGBTQ+, abortion and women’s rights. (Credit: Mariana Hernandez)

Protestors held megaphones in order to quiet down the messages from the religious groups against LGBTQ+, abortion and women’s rights. (Credit: Mariana Hernández)

 

Groups of protestors demonstrated near each other. (Credit: Mariana Hernández)

Groups of protestors demonstrated near each other. (Credit: Mariana Hernández)

 

By Sunday morning, the weather grew more brutal. Freezing rain turned to hail, and the biting cold made standing still unbearable. Thousands of people—many who had been standing since early morning—stood in long, serpentine lines outside the Capital One Arena, all hoping to make it inside for Trump’s Victory Rally. 

 

Perry Brunette had been standing in line since the early hours of the morning. (Credit: Mariana Hernandez)

Perry Brunette had been standing in line since the early hours of the morning. (Credit: Mariana Hernández)

 

Many Trump supporters wore disguises. (Credit: Mariana Hernandez)

Many Trump supporters wore disguises. (Credit: Mariana Hernández)

 

Lady Liberty, or "Sally Trump," as she introduced herself, strutted through the crowd shouting "Liberty is back!" (Credit: Mariana Hernandez)

Lady Liberty, or “Sally Trump,” as she introduced herself, strutted through the crowd shouting “Liberty is back!” (Credit: Mariana Hernández)

 

By noon, the line began to shift. There was a sudden rush of movement as the gates opened and people filed toward the entrance. But as the crowd surged forward, it quickly became clear that this would not be a simple process. Just meters before entering the arena, the line collapsed entirely as it started to snow. What had been an orderly queue turned into a chaotic, jumbled mass of people, pushing and shoving to get through the gates.

 

Those at the Capitol had to deal with frigid conditions. (Credit: Mariana Hernandez)

Those at the Capitol had to deal with frigid conditions. (Credit: Mariana Hernández)

 

A previously orderly queue turned chaotic. (Credit: Mariana Hernández)

A previously orderly queue turned chaotic. (Credit: Mariana Hernández)

 

Precipitation made line waiting difficult. (Credit: Mariana Hernández)

Precipitation made line waiting difficult. (Credit: Mariana Hernández)

 

Some parents who brought their children were forced to leave the line due to the extreme weather conditions. (Credit: Mariana Hernandez)

Some parents who brought their children were forced to leave the line due to the extreme weather conditions. (Credit: Mariana Hernández)

 

People waiting outside watched the event through their phones. (Credit: Mariana Hernandez)

People waiting outside watched the event through their phones. (Credit: Mariana Hernández)

 

Inside the Capital One Arena, thousands of supporters waited for Donald Trump to take the stage. When he finally appeared, a roar of applause erupted, and phones shot up like a wave, eager to capture the moment.  

 

Supporters captured the event on their phones. (Credit: Mariana Hernandez)

Supporters captured the event on their phones. (Credit: Mariana Hernández)

 

The crowd erupted when Trump took the stage. (Credit: Mariana Hernandez)

The crowd erupted when Trump took the stage. (Credit: Mariana Hernández)

 

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla motors, and his son X joined Donald Trump on stage. (Credit: Mariana Hernandez)

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla motors, and his son X joined Donald Trump on stage. (Credit: Mariana Hernández)

 

At the end of the victory rally, the village people came on stage to sing Y.M.C.A. (Credit: Mariana Hernandez)

At the end of the victory rally, the village people came on stage to sing Y.M.C.A. (Credit: Mariana Hernández)

 

People lined up for blocks around the Capitol One Arena, waiting to enter for Trump’s post-inaugural event. Supporters bundled up in coats, hats, and scarves, their eyes fixed on the entrance as they prepared to witness another rally.

 

Religious protestors outside the Capital One Arena. (Credit: Mariana Hernandez)

Religious protestors outside the Capital One Arena. (Credit: Mariana Hernández)

 

Demonstrators were creative with their outfits and messages as the events wound down. (Credit: Mariana Hernandez)

Demonstrators were creative with their outfits and messages as the events wound down. (Credit: Mariana Hernandez)

 

Demonstrators were creative with their outfits and messages as the events wound down. (Credit: Mariana Hernandez)

Demonstrators were creative with their outfits and messages as the events wound down. (Credit: Mariana Hernández)

About the author(s)

Mariana Hernandez is a Mexican journalist based in New York City, immigration and international issues. She is an M.S. candidate at Columbia Journalism School.