A District of Columbia official estimated a crowd size of more than half a million people for the Women's March on Washington on Saturday, according to the Associated Press. The march, organized to protest the inauguration of President Donald Trump that took place Friday at the Capitol, was originally expected to garner a crowd of 100,000 to 200,000, according to media reports.Protesters attend Saturday's march in Washington. (Chris Hale/CQ Roll Call)Images of long lines at Metro stations filled social media for several hours leading up to the original 1 p.m. ET march start time (though formal speakers and events began at 10 a.m.).Protesters hold signs on Independence Avenue in Washington during the Women's March on Washington on Saturday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)The Washington Metro Transit Authority estimated Metro ridership was up more than 80,000 rides at 11 a.m. on Saturday compared to the same time on Inauguration Day. Metro Ridership as of 11am: 275k. For comparison, that's more than 8x a normal Sat & even busier than most weekdays. #wmata #womensmarch — Metro (@wmata) January 21, 2017var rcrdTwitter = 1;Speakers have included activists, entertainers and lawmakers. Streets are packed! Metro subway jammed!!! Amazing. #WomensMarch — Michael Moore (@MMFlint) January 21, 2017var rcrdTwitter = 1;Related events drew large crowds in other American cities and across the globe.Protesters flood the National Mall on Saturday. (Chris Hale/CQ Roll Call)Protesters hold signs along Independence Avenue in D.C. on Saturday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
