Women turned out in unexpectedly large numbers in major US cities to stage mass protests against US President Donald Trump, in a sign of the strong public opposition the Republican may face in office.
Hundreds of thousands of women - many wearing pink knit hats - marched through downtown Washington, and also thronged the streets of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Boston to rebuke Mr Trump on his first full day in the White House.
The Washington event was the largest of a series of marches across the world in cities including Sydney, London, Tokyo and New York to criticise the new president's often angry, populist rhetoric.
There was almost 700 events described as sister marches held in about 60 countries, including marches in Dublin and Galway.
Mr Trump has angered many liberal Americans with comments seen as demeaning to women, Mexicans and Muslims, and worried some abroad with his inaugural vow yesterday to put "America First" in his decision making.
.@JohnKerry former US Sec of State out walking his dog, joins the #WomensMarch in #DC @rtenews pic.twitter.com/uQRq7dUH3n
— Caitriona Perry (@CaitrionaPerry) January 21, 2017
Yesterday, the US capital was hit with violent protests against the businessman-turned-politician, with black-clad anti-establishment activists smashing windows, setting vehicles on fire and fighting with riot police who responded with stun grenades.
Washington subway trains and platforms were packed with people today. The Metro sent a service alert warning of "system-wide delays due to extremely large crowds". At least one station was closed to new passengers because of the crowds backed up on the platform.
The Metro reported 275,000 rides as of 4pm Irish time, 82,000 more than the 193,000 reported at the same time yesterday, the day of Mr Trump's inauguration.
The #WomensMarch in #DC @rtenews pic.twitter.com/jFm6Is6oPz
— Caitriona Perry (@CaitrionaPerry) January 21, 2017
Several hundred thousand people attended the Washington march.
Pop diva Madonna also made an unannounced stage appearance at the rally in Washington.
"Welcome to the revolution of love," she said as she took the stage, wrapping up hours of speeches by celebrities and rights activists.
"To the rebellion. To our refusal as women to accept this new age of tyranny."
A police spokesman said that more than half a million people marched in Los Angeles.
A planned march in Chicago grew so large that organisers did not attempt to parade through the streets but instead staged a rally. Chicago police said more than 125,000 people attended.
Across town, Mr Trump sought to mend fences with the CIA telling officers he had their back after he criticised spy agencies for their investigation into Russian hacking.
Meanwhile in Ireland, thousands of people marched through Dublin city centre calling for women's rights and human rights to be protected under Mr Trump.
The marchers came out in solidarity with women marching in Washington DC today.
Those who took part in the Dublin march said the rights of women, immigrants, the disabled and LGBT community needed to be protected.
Marchers chanted "Love Trumps Hate" and carried signs saying "build bridges not walls" and “protect women's rights".
Other marches for women's rights have been taking place in Galway and Belfast.
A crowd of around 250 to 300 people gathered in Eyre Square in Galway this afternoon.
Those in attendance at the Galway rally heard calls for a united front to counter the impact of the new US administration.
Mayor joins thousands at London protest
Meanwhile, thousands of people marched through central London as part of the global day of protests against Mr Trump.
The largely female crowd, which also had many men and children, marched from the US embassy to Trafalgar Square, chanting "dump Trump" and waving banners demanding equal rights.
"Trump Special Relationship: Just Say No" and "Our Rights Are Not For Grabs - Neither Are We" were among the banners held aloft, along with "We shall overcomb" and "Make bigotry wrong again".
The many marchers were joined by London mayor Sadiq Khan. Organisers announced on stage that 80,000 people had taken part in the event.
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