Washington, January 23 (RHC)-- Hundreds of thousands of people from across the United States descended on Washington over the weekend to voice their anger and anxiety over Donald Trump’s presidency after he took the oath of office. 

The Women’s March on Washington, which organizers said attracted more than half a million people on Saturday, aimed to raise awareness of women's rights and other civil rights, that many Americans fear could be under threat by the new president.  The city's subway system reported 275,000 travels by 11 a.m., compared to 193,000 trips made on inauguration day. 

Trump angered many at home and abroad by repeatedly making disparaging remarks about women, Muslims and immigrants during his controversial presidential campaign.  The Women’s March, which began with a Facebook call by a Hawaiian grandmother in the aftermath of Trump’s election victory in November, is said to have been one of the largest political demonstrations ever seen in the U.S. capital. 

“We are witnessing one of the largest and most significant demonstrations for social justice in America’s 240-year history,” said Crystal Hoyt, an associate dean at the University of Richmond.  She added: “By stoking and exploiting fear, Trump mobilized deep-seated sexism, racism, and xenophobia to gain political traction.” 

The march came one day after Washington, DC was rocked by violent protest against Trump, highlighting the depth of frustration in a deeply divided country unseen in decades. 

While the march has been organized in response to Trump’s presidency, some marchers said they did not mean to attack him personally.  "I wouldn't call it an anti-Trump march, I would call it a 'We are watching you, Trump' kind of march," said Ayesha Ahmed, who came from Chicago with the Muslim Women's Alliance. 

Many of the protesters said they had not been politically active in the past, but the divisive nature of the 2016 election awakened their civic duties.