PHOTOS: From DC to New York, Chicago to LA, nearly 2 million rally for women

The World
Hundreds of thousands march down Pennsylvania Avenue during the Women's March in Washington, DC, January 21, 2017.

Organizers of the DC March on Washington expected a couple hundred thousand people would turn out for the women's rights, anti-Donald Trump protest the day after his inauguration. Instead, they got 500,000.

The story was the same across the country. 250,000 people in Chicago. 175,000 in Boston. 750,000 in Los Angeles. 100,000 in the Twin Cities. All told, some two million people took to the streets to advance the cause of women — equality, opportunity and inclusion.

By all accounts, the protests were peaceful and jovial, drawing celebrities and politicians, as well as hundreds of thousands of average Americans.

These are photos from Saturday's festivities.

Related: See photos from rallies across the world.

A Muslim woman in hijab is seen amid activists as they make their way to the Women's March
A Muslim woman in hijab is seen amid activists as they make their way to the Women's March in opposition to the agenda and rhetoric of President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., U.S. on January 21, 2017.Adrees Latif/Reuters
Demonstrators arrive via public transportation to take part in a
Demonstrators arrive via public transportation to take part in a "Women's March" to protest the inauguration of Donald Trump's inauguration as the 45th president of the United States in Washington, January 21, 2017.Lucas Jackson/Reuters
Senator Elizabeth Warren speaks at the Boston Women's March for America
Senator Elizabeth Warren speaks at the Boston Women's March for America in Boston, Massachusetts, January 21, 2017.Sam Goresh/Reuters
People pack the National Mall for the Women's March
People pack the National Mall for the Women's March in Washington, January 21, 2017.Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
People participate in a Women's March to protest against President Donald Trump
People participate in a Women's March to protest against President Donald Trump in New York City, January 21, 2017.Stephanie Keith/Reuters
Thousands gathered at the Boston Women's March
Thousands gathered at the Boston Women's March for America in Boston, Massachusetts, January 21, 2017.Sam Goresh/Reuters
People participating in a Women's March
People participating in a Women's March to protest against U.S. President Donald Trump fill up 42nd St. in New York City, January 21, 2017.Stephanie Keith/Reuters
Hundreds of thousands of marchers fill the street during a Women's March
Hundreds of thousands of marchers fill the street during a Women's March demonstration in Washington, DC, January 21, 2017.Bryan Woolston/Reuters
Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry walks to join the Women's March
Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry walks to join the Women's March on Washington, after the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump, in Washington, DC, January 21, 2017.Brian Snyder/Reuters
Park City resident Martina Costello (R), poses with friends as they hold up their signs during the Women's March protest
Park City resident Martina Costello (R), poses with friends as they hold up their signs during the Women's March protest at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, January 21, 2017.Piya Sinha-Roy/Reuters
People participating in a Women's March
People participating in a Women's March to protest against U.S. President Donald Trump fill up 42nd St. in New York City, January 21, 2017.Stephanie Keith/Reuters
People take part in the Women's March in Washington, January 21, 2017.
People take part in the Women's March in Washington, January 21, 2017. Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
Protesters participating in the Women's March on Washington react as US President Donald Trump returns to the White House in Washington January 21, 2017.
Protesters participating in the Women's March on Washington react as US President Donald Trump returns to the White House in Washington January 21, 2017.James Lawler Duggan/Reuters
US President Donald Trump's presidential limousines sit in the driveway at the White House as protesters in the Women's March gather nearby in Washington, January 21, 2017.
US President Donald Trump's presidential limousines sit in the driveway at the White House as protesters in the Women's March gather nearby in Washington, January 21, 2017.Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
Protesters in pink hats in the Women's March look out towards the White House in Washington, January 21, 2017.
Protesters in pink hats in the Women's March look out towards the White House in Washington, January 21, 2017.Jonathan Ernst
People participate in a Women's March to protest against President Donald Trump in New York City, January 21, 2017.
People participate in a Women's March to protest against President Donald Trump in New York City, January 21, 2017.Stephanie Keith/Reuters
People participate in a Women's March to protest against President Donald Trump in New York City, January 21, 2017.
People participate in a Women's March to protest against President Donald Trump in New York City, January 21, 2017.Stephanie Keith/Reuters
People gather for the Women's March in Washington, January 21, 2017.
People gather for the Women's March in Washington, January 21, 2017.Shannon Stapleton/Reuters
Demonstrators take part in the Women's March to protest Donald Trump's inauguration as the 45th president of the United States near the US Capitol in Washington, January 21, 2017.
Demonstrators take part in the Women's March to protest Donald Trump's inauguration as the 45th president of the United States near the US Capitol in Washington, January 21, 2017.Lucas Jackson/Reuters
A woman wearing pink pussy protest hat watches the Women's March on Washington, following the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, in Washington, DC, January 21, 2017.
A woman wearing pink pussy protest hat watches the Women's March on Washington, following the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, in Washington, DC, January 21, 2017.Brian Snyder/Reuters
A same sex couple kisses in front of a wall of protest signs while taking part in the Women's March to protest Donald Trump's inauguration as the 45th president of the United States close to the White House in Washington, January 21, 2017.
A same sex couple kisses in front of a wall of protest signs while taking part in the Women's March to protest Donald Trump's inauguration as the 45th president of the United States close to the White House in Washington, January 21, 2017.Lucas Jackson/Reuters
People listen to speeches at the Women's March, held in opposition to the agenda and rhetoric of President Donald Trump in Washington, DC, January 21, 2017.
People listen to speeches at the Women's March, held in opposition to the agenda and rhetoric of President Donald Trump in Washington, DC, January 21, 2017.Canice Leung/Reuters
People display a knitted replica of the female reproductive system at the Women's March, held in opposition to the agenda and rhetoric of President Donald Trump in Washington, DC, January 21, 2017.
People display a knitted replica of the female reproductive system at the Women's March, held in opposition to the agenda and rhetoric of President Donald Trump in Washington, DC, January 21, 2017. Canice Leung/Reuters
People participate in a Women's March to protest against US President Donald Trump in New York City, January 21, 2017.
People participate in a Women's March to protest against US President Donald Trump in New York City, January 21, 2017.Stephanie Keith/Reuters
Women who said they chartered a bus from their home in Flint, Michigan, speak to media at the Women's March
Women who said they chartered a bus from their home in Flint, Michigan, speak to media at the Women's March, held in opposition to the agenda and rhetoric of President Donald Trump Washington, DC, January 21, 2017.Canice Leung/Reuters
Police vehicles struggle to squeeze through protesters to enter the White House complex during the Women's March on Washington in Washington January 21, 2017.
Police vehicles struggle to squeeze through protesters to enter the White House complex during the Women's March on Washington in Washington January 21, 2017.James Lawler/Reuters
Do you support journalism that strengthens our democracy?

At The World, we believe strongly that human-centered journalism is at the heart of an informed public and a strong democracy. We see democracy and journalism as two sides of the same coin. If you care about one, it is imperative to care about the other.

Every day, our nonprofit newsroom seeks to inform and empower listeners and hold the powerful accountable. Neither would be possible without the support of listeners like you. If you believe in our work, will you give today? We need your help now more than ever!