
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 (opens in new tab), 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 (opens in new tab) 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 (opens in new tab).
The biggest marches (opens in new tab) 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 (opens in new tab) in Washington, D.C.:
The Women's March has drawn comparisons to the Tea Party rallies in 2009. But using similar techniques, FiveThirtyEight (opens in new tab) 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 (opens in new tab) for the latest celeb news, beauty tips, fascinating reads, livestream video, and more.
Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with more than 10 years of professional experience. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
-
The Instagram Guide to Tecate, Mexico
The Mexican town is known as “Pueblo Magico”—magical town.
By Michelle Stansbury
-
Worth It: Dior Capture Totale Le Sérum
It's the definition of a do-it-all.
By Samantha Holender
-
Kaia Gerber Is the First to Admit She's a Nepo Baby: "I Won't Deny the Privilege That I Have"
She made some great points.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
35 Ways Women Still Aren't Equal to Men
If anyone tries to tell you otherwise, show them these statistics.
By Brooke Knappenberger
-
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.
By Emily Tisch Sussman
-
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.
By Tanya Benedicto Klich
-
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.
By Sen. Tammy Duckworth
-
Roe Is Gone. We Have to Keep Fighting.
Democracy always offers a path forward even when we feel thrust into the past.
By Beth Silvers and Sarah Stewart Holland, hosts of Pantsuit Politics Podcast
-
The Supreme Court's Mississippi Abortion Rights Case: What to Know
The case could threaten Roe v. Wade.
By Megan DiTrolio
-
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.
By Dr. Devin J. Buckley and Erin Regan
-
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?"
By Amanda L. As Told To Rachel Epstein