Nearly a thousand Philadelphians and others nearby gathered in Center City as part of a nationwide People’s March to express their concern with the policies they’re expecting from President-elect Donald Trump.
The People’s Marchers paraded from City Hall down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, calling for the protection of reproductive rights and the LGBTQ+ community, immigration reform, and other causes.
The People’s March was born from the Women’s March, a movement that began in reaction to Trump winning his first term in 2016, which followed a campaign based on anti-abortion policies and fiery rhetoric.
The Philly People’s March attendees varied in age, from infants to older adults, and background, from union workers to city politicians, like Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, who spoke at the start of the event.
According to People’s March, the event is meant to “unite the people who’ve been the backbone of resistance for generations and welcome even more.” Demonstrations across the country aimed to pressure politicians as well as energize grassroots activists and movements.
View the march from the ground in the slideshow below.
Hundreds of people march past City Hall during the 2025 People’s March Philadelphia on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. Approximately 700 people participated in the march from City Hall to the Philadelphia Art Museum according to organizers of the march. 
Philadelphia resident Eric Hamell raises a homemade sign denouncing mass deportation at the 2025 People’s March Philadelphia on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. Approximately 700 people participated in the march from City Hall to the Philadelphia Art Museum according to organizers of the march. 
A member of the Philadelphia group, Granny Peace Brigade, holds a sign representing the organization at the 2025 People’s March Philadelphia on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (Photos by Erin Blewitt) 
A member of the group, Philly Socialist Alternative, speaks to attendees of the 2025 People’s March Philadelphia on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. Approximately 700 people participated in the march from City Hall to the Philadelphia Art Museum according to organizers of the march. 
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier speaks to the crowd at City Hall before they march to The Philadelphia Museum of Art for the 2025 People’s March Philadelphia on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. In addition to Gauthier, other city officials and representatives from groups like Planned Parenthood and the Philly Socialist Alternative also spoke at the event. (Photos by Erin Blewitt) 
Attendees of the 2025 People’s March Philadelphia cheer for speakers before the march on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. Speakers like Councilmember Jaime Gauthier, representatives from Planned Parenthood, and representatives from Philly Socialist Alternative spoke at the event. 
One of the march leaders chants with participants as they make their way past City Hall for the 2025 People’s March Philadelphia cheer for speakers before the march on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. Approximately 700 people participated in the march from City Hall to the Philadelphia Art Museum according to organizers of the march. 
A sign depicting American businessman and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, President-elect Donald Trump, and the world’s richest person, Elon Musk, is pictured during the 2025 People’s March Philadelphia on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (Photos by Erin Blewitt) 
Participants in the 2025 People’s March Philadelphia step away from the demonstration to show their signs to watchers in Dublin through The Portal installation in Love Park on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. The group responsible for the piece, Portals.org, said that the project is “an invitation to meet fellow humans above borders and prejudices and to experience our home – planet Earth – as it really is: united and one” according to the group’s website. (Photos by Erin Blewitt) 
An attendee of the 2025 People’s March Philadelphia live streams the event on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. The event’s website states that “we all march for different reasons, but we march for the same cause: to defend our rights and our future.” (Photos by Erin Blewitt) 
A participant in the 2025 People’s March Philadelphia attempts to cover the Israeli flag on the Ben Franklin Parkway with a flag supporting Palestine on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. The event was organized in response to the current political climate in The United States in addition to the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. (Photos by Erin Blewitt) 
Participants hold up signs during the 2025 People’s March Philadelphia on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. One of the signs pictured expressed solidarity with Luigi Mangione, the Upenn graduate who allegedly murdered United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City in December 2024. 
Participants hold up signs as they march down Benjamin Franklin Parkway during the 2025 People’s March Philadelphia on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (Photos by Erin Blewitt) Participants hold up signs as they march down Benjamin Franklin Parkway during the 2025 People’s March Philadelphia on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (Photos by Erin Blewitt) Charleigh, 7 months, holds a sign in support of the 2025 People’s March Philadelphia given to her by her mother on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. Participants of all ages came together to march from City Hall to the Philadelphia Museum of Art ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday. (Photos by Erin Blewitt) 
Participants hold up signs during the 2025 People’s March Philadelphia on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.(Photos by Erin Blewitt) 
Participants hold up signs during the 2025 People’s March Philadelphia on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.(Photos by Erin Blewitt) 
Participants hold up signs as they march down Benjamin Franklin Parkway toward the Philadelphia Art Museum during the 2025 People’s March Philadelphia on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (Photos by Erin Blewitt) 
Participants hold up signs as they march down Benjamin Franklin Parkway toward the Philadelphia Art Museum during the 2025 People’s March Philadelphia on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (Photos by Erin Blewitt) 
Philadelphia resident Jane Wiedmann poses for a portrait ahead of the 2025 People’s March Philadelphia on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. Wiedmann also attended the Women’s March in Washington D.C. in 2017. (Photos by Erin Blewitt) 
Participants hold up signs during the 2025 People’s March Philadelphia on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. Approximately 700 people participated in the march from City Hall to the Philadelphia Art Museum according to organizers of the march. (Photos by Erin Blewitt) 
Participants hold up signs during the 2025 People’s March Philadelphia on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. The march was a “moment to remind Washington elites — and Americans everywhere — where the power truly lives: with the people,” according to the event’s website. (Photos by Erin Blewitt) 
Participants hold up signs during the 2025 People’s March Philadelphia on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (Photos by Erin Blewitt)
