January 20 - Day of actions against the inauguration of Donald Trump
Q. When and where is the official inauguration?
Early in the morning, Pro-Trump supporters will start streaming into the swearing-in ceremony on the West Lawn of the US Capitol. The official proceedings start at noon with the vice president-elect and president-elect taking the Oaths of Office, followed by the inaugural address. You must have a ticket to attend the swearing-in-ceremony. (Tickets are free but in high demand, and are given out by your local representative or senator - see below for how to request a ticket). Giant video screens and audio systems will also stream the proceedings to the thousands of spectators on the National Mall. The oath of office is followed by a luncheon at the Capitol with members of Congress, then a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House. The parade starts around 2 pm. It includes members from all branches of the armed forces. The majority of the parade route is free and open to the public; no tickets are required. Viewing spots are available on a first come, first-served basis.The day concludes with a series of inaugural balls. There will be 14 official balls.
Q. How do I request inauguration tickets?
Go to your Representatives’ and Senators’ websites (If you do not already know who represents you, you can find out here). See if they have an online Inauguration ticket request form. If not, see if they prefer to be contacted by phone or email. Send the following message:
Dear Senator/Representative ___________,
I would like to request _____ticket/s for the January 2017 Presidential Inauguration in Washington DC.
Sincerely,
Your Name, address, telephone number, and email
Q. What will CODEPINK and other protesters be doing?
On Inauguration Day we will join the mass mobilizations, disruptions, and civil resistance of Occupy Inauguration and Disrupt J20 in the streets of Washington, D.C. CODEPINK will meet at Union Station at 8 am. We will greet Donald Trump and his incoming administration with messages of Rise^Love^Resist, Build Bridges Not Walls, Save the Earth & Grow Peace, Bust Up Hate, Women Say No to War, We Love Our Muslim Neighbors, Immigrants Welcome and more. Our messaging and attitude will be positive about the love we want to see in the world.
At 12 noon there will be a permitted march from Columbus Circle (in front of Union Station) to McPherson Square. The march will include marching bands, drummers, puppets and vibrant displays of art and culture to sow the diversity and power of resistance to Trump’s agenda.
In addition to these protests, starting at 7 am, the Answer Coalition will meet at Freedom Plaza (1355 Pennsylvania Ave NW at 14th St) to do a demonstration along the parade route.
January 21 - Women’s March:
Q. Where will the Women’s March start and what is the route?
The march begins at the intersection of Independence Ave and Third St SW, near the U.S. Capitol, at 10:00 am. The route has not yet been disclosed.
Q. Who is organizing the Women’s March?
The march is organized by a broad coalition of groups and individuals. The four co-chairs are Linda Sarsour (executive director of the Arab American Association of New York), Tamika D Mallory (political organizer and former executive director of the National Action Network), Carmen Perez (executive director of political action group The Gathering for Justice) and Bob Bland (a fashion designer who focuses on ethical manufacturing). Feminist leader Gloria Steinem and singer/activist Harry Belafonte are both serving as honorary co-chairs of the march. Planned Parenthood is providing much of the logistical support.
Q. Who will be there?
Women (and men and other gender identified people) will be pouring in from all over the country. Hundreds of thousands are expected. There will also be plenty of women leaders and celebs. Celebrities, including comedians Amy Schumer and Samantha Bee and actor Olivia Wilde, have all posted on social media about their intentions to attend. Other well-known stars and march speakers will be announced in the coming days.
Q. What is the main message of the Women’s March?
The organizers are not billing this as an anti-Trump protest but about being proactive about women’s rights. “We will send a strong message to the incoming administration that millions of people across this country are prepared to fight attacks on reproductive health care, abortion services and access to Planned Parenthood, as they intersect with the rights of Nature, young people, people of color, immigrants, and people of all faiths, backgrounds, and incomes,” said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.