A week of protests ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration as U.S. president is set to kick off on Saturday with a civil rights march in Washington by activists angry over the Republican’s comments on minority groups including Muslims and Mexicans.
According to al-Jazeera civil rights leader the Reverend Al Sharpton plans to lead a march along the National Mall ending at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial about 3 km from the steps of the U.S. Capitol where Trump will be sworn in as president on Jan. 20.
Organizers estimate that Saturday’s march will draw some 25000 protesters. About 30 groups almost all of them anti-Trump have gotten permits to protest before during and after the inauguration.
By far the biggest event will be the Women’s March in Washington the day after the inauguration which organizers say could draw 200000 people. Thousands of demonstrators also have vowed to shut down the inauguration by closing off security checkpoints along the inaugural parade route.
Washington police and the U.S. Secret Service plan to have some 3000 officers and an additional 5000 National Guard troops on hand through the events.
Trump had undertaken during his electoral campaign to restrict immigration from Islamic countries and to erect a wall along the border with Mexico in addition to his promises to take measures against firms offering jobs abroad.
