Here’s What Happened at the 2017 Equality March in Washington D.C.

Participants in the 2017 Equality March expressed their disdain for Donald Trump, claiming they'd take back the country from his administration.

This is a photo of pride week.
Twitter

Image via Twitter

This is a photo of pride week.

With the shadow of Donald Trump's White House looming behind them, participants in the 2017 Equality March presented a peaceful but firm message to those who would threaten their rights—we're not going anywhere.

"It’s not about politics or policy or a difference in political opinion," a man named Timothy Kaine told PBS. "It’s about an administration denying our identity. We will resist completely.”

The LGBT community has reacted forcefully to the election of Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, the latter of whom has been panned for his record on LGBT issues in the past. Representative Maxine Waters specifically called out Trump during a speech at the pride parade in Los Angeles, leading chants to impeach the president.

"We're going to take our country back from him," said Waters. "I know that you have the strength. I know that you have the courage. And I know that each of you understand you have the power."

Signs highlighting the community's broad dislike for Trump popped up all around the country this weekend, with criticism and outright anger directed at the first-year president.

HUGE crowd for the #EqualityMarch

This will be the largest LGBT march in modern history. We will not be silent. pic.twitter.com/7ijOhXMCFl
Trump's star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame is getting covered in #resist stickers during The Los Angeles #ResistMarch 👍 pic.twitter.com/95dEq9n2su

Some even chose to highlight the stark contrast between Barack Obama's administration and Trump's. According to the Associated Press, crowds chanted, "We're here, we're queer, get that Cheeto out of here!" as they marched past the White House on Sunday.

June 2015 vs June 2017
Obama vs Trump
Support vs Hostility
Pride vs Protest

But love still wins. 🏳️‍🌈#EqualityMarch pic.twitter.com/eJxQq92KE6
Dear @realDonaldTrump,

Here's what protesting against you & your admin's bigotry, intolerance & corruption looks like.#EqualityMarch pic.twitter.com/YgkczBgLeG
Reminder: as tens of thousands are taking part in the #EqualityMarch today that Trump has refused to even acknowledge it's Pride Month. pic.twitter.com/dAQtCeVAqo

Not all of the protesters out this weekend were working in lockstep. Bystanders at the D.C. pride event spotted a stopped parade on Saturday evening, with a group of protesters speaking out against unequal treatment from police. "Hey hey, ho ho, these racists cops have got to go," they chanted.

So today #blacklivesmatter stopped the D.C. Pride parade. pic.twitter.com/tFlhfLPcIO

At the end of the day, however, protesters around the country were out in force to show they weren't going to be scared into hiding by politicians or societal forces. With the anniversary of the deadly Pulse nightclub shooting looming, marchers wanted to send a message to people who would try to scare them into submission by any means necessary.

"It's an opportunity to tell everyone we're still here, and we're not going away at all," said Gregory Elfers, a New Jersey native.

Joining #ResistMarch: 49 balloons in memory of the 49 people killed in last year's Orlando nightclub shooting https://t.co/ed2Ki7nHza pic.twitter.com/fe2OvIjzJP
AMAZING to see such a HUGE CROWD out for the #EqualityMarch pic.twitter.com/rcSdzfBVE3
Be sure to stop by @HRC's Action & Resource Center this morning before the #EqualityMarch! ❤️💛💚💙💜 #UniteResistEnlist #Pride2017 pic.twitter.com/4LdsuZ3SAM
On our way to the #EqualityMarch in DC! 🏳️‍🌈✊🏽 pic.twitter.com/uKZcnDYLDI
Such an incredible day at the #EqualityMarch! Thanks to everyone who joined us. #Pride2017 pic.twitter.com/ajcBjh8WMx
Tens of thousands gathered in L.A. today for the #ResistMarch. Standing up for LGBTQ's rights, healthcare, climate change etc. #armyoflovers pic.twitter.com/O7TbRuTUCD

Regardless of your political lean, a person's right to assert and be proud of their identity is something we can all get behind. 

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