Thousands Join Nationwide Women's Marches To Protest Barrett Supreme Court Nomination

Organizers said more than 116,000 people had pledged to participate in marches or other actions in Washington D.C. and other cities on Saturday.
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Thousands of people — some dressed as the titular handmaidens from “The Handmaid’s Tale” — joined demonstrations in Washington, D.C., and hundreds of other cities across the country on Saturday to protest President Donald Trump and his nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.

The Republican-led Senate is scheduled to hold its first vote to confirm Barrett next week, less than two weeks before the general election. Democrats have vehemently opposed Barrett’s confirmation, characterizing the rushed effort to install Barrett as a power grab by the GOP.

Women dressed as handmaidens protest against Donald Trump's presidency on Saturday.
Women dressed as handmaidens protest against Donald Trump's presidency on Saturday.
Paul Morigi via Getty Images

Critics fear that Barrett’s confirmation could lead to the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the loss of health insurance for millions of Americans, among other seismic changes.

“Women are threatened in a world where a Christian theocracy is threatening to take over,” protester Kelsey Weir told The Washington Post, referring to Barrett’s leadership position in the Christian group People of Praise. “This is the crisis for our world. The next few weeks are going to decide so many things for women.”

Women’s March organizers said more than 116,000 people nationwide had pledged to participate in marches or other actions, including virtual events, on Saturday.

“We want our lives back from this administration. And we want a whole different future: a story we are all written into,” the organization wrote on Twitter. “We aren’t scared ― we’re mobilized, we’re organized, and most of all, we’re motivated ... Women have the power to end this presidency.”

As the Post noted, a smaller counter-protest attended by supporters of Barrett was also organized in D.C. on Saturday. Those protesters held up placards with pro-life messages and phrases like, “I’m with her” and “Confirm Amy.”

Scroll down for more images from Saturday’s protests:

Demonstrators in Washington, D.C., on Saturday.
Demonstrators in Washington, D.C., on Saturday.
Paul Morigi via Getty Images
Demonstrators in New York City.
Demonstrators in New York City.
KENA BETANCUR via Getty Images
Supporters of Barrett stage a counter-protest on Saturday in Washington, D.C.
Supporters of Barrett stage a counter-protest on Saturday in Washington, D.C.
Tasos Katopodis via Getty Images
One Fair Wage team members Breanne Delgado (left) and Nikki Cole (right) rally at the base of an 18-foot wooden statue of Elena the Essential, representing service worker’s demand for respect, full pay and fair elections as part of the protests on Saturday.
One Fair Wage team members Breanne Delgado (left) and Nikki Cole (right) rally at the base of an 18-foot wooden statue of Elena the Essential, representing service worker’s demand for respect, full pay and fair elections as part of the protests on Saturday.
Paul Morigi via Getty Images
A protester on Saturday in Washington.
A protester on Saturday in Washington.
DANIEL SLIM via Getty Images
The late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, whose seat Barrett has been nominated to fill, appeared on many signs on Saturday.
The late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, whose seat Barrett has been nominated to fill, appeared on many signs on Saturday.
KENA BETANCUR via Getty Images
Elena the Essential also appeared at a protest in New York City.
Elena the Essential also appeared at a protest in New York City.
KENA BETANCUR via Getty Images
More protesters in New York City.
More protesters in New York City.
KENA BETANCUR via Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 17: Demonstrators on the move during the #CountonUs March Women's Voter Rally on October 17, 2020 in Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 17: Demonstrators on the move during the #CountonUs March Women's Voter Rally on October 17, 2020 in Washington, DC.
Paul Morigi via Getty Images
An anti-Trump sign at the Washington protest.
An anti-Trump sign at the Washington protest.
Paul Morigi via Getty Images
A woman dressed as handmaiden in Washington.
A woman dressed as handmaiden in Washington.
Paul Morigi via Getty Images
Protesters in Washington.
Protesters in Washington.
Paul Morigi via Getty Images

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