Demonstrators protest President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration in Washington, on Saturday —AP

Agencies WASHINGTON

Thousands of people gathered in Washington on Saturday to protest President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, as activists for women's rights, racial justice and other causes rallied against incoming policies they say will threaten their constitutional rights during the Republican's second term. Trump, 78, succeeds Joe Biden, 82, on Monday,  as the 47th President of the United States.

Some in the crowd wore the pink hats that marked the much-larger protest against Trump's first inauguration in 2017. They wound through downtown amid a light rain, past the White House and toward the Lincoln Memorial along the National Mall for the "People's March”. The People's March - previously known as the Women's March - has taken place every year since 2017. Displaying anti-Trump posters and banner, the protestors raised slogans against the next President and also against some of his close supporters, including Tesla owner Elon Musk. There were a series of three protests which started from three different parks and culminated near the Lincoln Memorial. "Mass protest is one of the most effective ways to demonstrate to our communities that we are not obeying in advance or bowing to fascism, and invites them to do the same," People's March said. The rallies coincide with Trump's arrival to the nation's capital for a series of weekend events in the lead-up to his swearing-in ceremony on Monday.

Amongst the coalition members are Abortion Action Now, Time to Act, SisterSong, Women's March, Popular Democracy In Action, Harriet's Wildest Dreams, The Feminist Front, NOW, Planned Parenthood, National Women's Law Centre Action Fund, Sierra Club, and the Frontline.

Similar marches, though at a smaller scale, were also held in various other cities, including New York, Seattle and Chicago.