Adele unites with Jennifer Lawrence at Women's March
On the one-year anniversary of Donald Trump's inauguration as US president, Adele, Scarlett Johansson, Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Lawrence joined thousands on Saturday (January 20) as the country held Women's Marches to protest Trump's agenda as well as champion the #MeToo movement.
'Hello' legend Adele posted a passionate message on Instagram, stood alongside actresses Diaz and Lawrence at the protest held in Los Angeles, while huge rallies also took place in Las Vegas, New York City, Washington DC and Chicago.
A post shared by Adele (@adele) on Jan 20, 2018 at 1:26pm PST
"The most influential people in my life have always been women," Adele wrote. "My family, my friends, my teachers, my colleagues, and my idols.
"I am obsessed with all the women in my life. I adore them and need them more and more every day. I am so grateful to be a woman, I wouldn't change it for the world.
"I hope I'm not only defined by my gender though. I hope I'm defined by my input to the world, my ability to love and to have empathy.
"To raise my son to be a good man alongside the good man who loves me for everything I am and am not. I want what's best for people, I think we all do. We just can't agree on what that is. Power to the peaceful, power to the people."
Wearing a Time's Up top, Scarlett Johansson took to the stage in Downtown Los Angeles and told the 500,000-strong crowd that the #MeToo movement has the power to bring hope of equality.
Reflecting on her own experiences as an up-and-coming actress, she said (via PA): "As the rage settled in it gave way to other feelings – sadness and, unexpectedly, guilt and grieving.
"Suddenly I was 19 again and I started to remember all the men I'd known who took advantage of the fact I was a young woman who didn't yet have the tools to say no."
Johansson went on to say: "I stand before you as someone who is empowered not only by the curiosity about myself and by the active choices that I'm finally able to make and stand by, but by the brightness of this movement, the strength and the unity that this movement has provided.
"It gives me hope that we are moving toward a place where our sense of equality can truly come from within ourselves."
Actress Eva Longoria also told protestors to stand for the #MeToo campaign, and condemned the "sexist, racist rhetoric" from the White House.
However, as for Trump himself, he appeared to ignore the actual reason behind the protests, calling it a "perfect day" for the Women's Marches and commenting on low female employment numbers.
Beautiful weather all over our great country, a perfect day for all Women to March. Get out there now to celebrate the historic milestones and unprecedented economic success and wealth creation that has taken place over the last 12 months. Lowest female unemployment in 18 years!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018
He wrote on Twitter: "Beautiful weather all over our great country, a perfect day for all Women to March.
"Get out there now to celebrate the historic milestones and unprecedented economic success and wealth creation that has taken place over the last 12 months. Lowest female unemployment in 18 years!"
Meanwhile, anti-Trump messages adorned countless placards, along with pro-immigrant and women's rights signs.
And actress Alyssa Milano hit back at Trump's tweet, quoting a sexist remark made by Trump:
"I'm automatically attracted to beautiful women - I just start kissing them. It's like a magnet. Just kiss. I don't even wait. And when you're a star they let you do it. You can do anything ... Grab them by the pussy. You can do anything." ~Donald Trump#WomensMarch2018 https://t.co/iwQTabxUUe
- Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) January 20, 2018
In the UK, a huge Time's Up march will take place today (Sunday, January 21) from 11am in Downing Street, London.
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