Turnout for the Women's March on Washington and its sister marches around the world may have been even greater than we initially thought: According to FiveThirtyEight, the total number of marchers in the United States alone was likely close to 3.2 million, making this one of the largest mass protests in American history.
Interestingly but perhaps not surprisingly, attendance for the protests followed the same geographic trends seen in the 2016 election results—about 80 percent of the march attendees were in states that Hillary Clinton won.
The total number of marchers in the United States alone was likely close to 3.2 million, making this one of the largest mass protests in American history.
Pinning down exact numbers for events like the women's marches is almost impossible, but FiveThirtyEight offered backup for its estimates, including sourcing for the raw data and a percentage discount for data that came from potentially biased or exaggerated sources. Numbers provided by event organizers, for example, were discounted by 40 percent.
The biggest marches took place in D.C., Los Angeles, and New York City. The events in these cities also featured performances and speeches by celebrities and well-known feminist figures, including a particularly moving speech by Gloria Steinem in Washington, D.C.:
The Women's March has drawn comparisons to the Tea Party rallies in 2009. But using similar techniques, FiveThirtyEight estimates that those rallies drew just 310,000 participants across 350 cities.
The high turnout for the women's marches is encouraging at a time when a lot of Americans (both women and men) need to feel encouraged about the political future. The next step? Maintaining that momentum from here on out.
Follow Marie Claire on Facebook for the latest celeb news, beauty tips, fascinating reads, livestream video, and more.
-
The Perfumer Behind Last Year's Most Talked-About Fragrance Just Released Another Perfect ScentAqua Media Cologne forte embodies a feeling of balance and harmony.
-
'Yellowface' Is Our June Book Club Pick
Read an excerpt from R.F. Kuang's latest novel, here, then dive in with us throughout the month.
-
I Scoured the Summer Runways—Here Are the Six Shoe Trends Actually Worth Buying
Hit the ground running this season.
-
36 Ways Women Still Aren't Equal to Men
It's just one of the many ways women still aren't equal to men.
-
How New York's First Female Governor Plans to Fight for Women If Reelected
Kathy Hochul twice came to power because men resigned amid sexual harassment scandals. Here, how she's leading differently.
-
Why the 2022 Midterm Elections Are So Critical
As we blaze through a highly charged midterm election season, Swing Left Executive Director Yasmin Radjy highlights rising stars who are fighting for women’s rights.
-
Tammy Duckworth: 'I’m Mad as Hell' About the Lack of Federal Action on Gun Safety
The Illinois Senator won't let the memory of the Highland Park shooting just fade away.
-
Roe Is Gone. We Have to Keep Fighting.
Democracy always offers a path forward even when we feel thrust into the past.
-
The Supreme Court's Mississippi Abortion Rights Case: What to Know
The case could threaten Roe v. Wade.
-
Sex Trafficking Victims Are Being Punished. A New Law Could Change That.
Victims of sexual abuse are quietly criminalized. Sara's Law protects kids that fight back.
-
My Family and I Live in Navajo Nation. We Don't Have Access to Clean Running Water
"They say that the United States is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Why are citizens still living with no access to clean water?"
