When the Women’s March erupted onto the scene in 2017, it was a force of nature—half a million people in Washington, millions more across the country, and a singular message of resistance against Donald Trump’s presidency. Fast forward to 2025, and the same movement, now rebranded as the “People’s March,” feels like a shadow of its former self.
This year’s march, expected to draw only a fraction of the original crowd, reflects the exhaustion, disillusionment, and fragmentation that have come to define progressive organizing in recent years. What went wrong, and can the People’s March regain the momentum it once commanded?
From Lightning in a Bottle to a Flickering Flame
The inaugural Women’s March was iconic—a visceral response to the shock of Trump’s 2016 election win. Pink pussyhats became a symbol of defiance, and the collective fury electrified a grassroots movement. But that moment was unique.
Tamika Middleton, managing director of the Women’s March, acknowledges this shift. “In 2017, we had not seen a Trump presidency and the kind of vitriol that that represented.” The march captured a raw, unfiltered anger that resonated deeply. But emotions, as powerful as they are, are fleeting.
In 2025, the People’s March faces a vastly different landscape. Progressive voters, reeling from Kamala Harris’s election loss, are weary. The outrage that once galvanized millions has given way to a quieter, more subdued frustration.
The Fractured Movement: Diversity or Discord?
One of the Women’s March’s most significant challenges has been its struggle with inclusivity. Accusations of a lack of diversity fractured the movement early on, and while the rebranding to the People’s March aims to address these criticisms, it raises questions about coherence.
As Jo Reger, a sociology professor and expert on social movements, notes, “For a broad-based social justice movement, conflicting visions are impossible to avoid.” The People’s March attempts to unify a dizzying array of causes—feminism, racial justice, LGBTQ rights, climate change, and more. But can a movement so broad sustain focus and momentum?
The danger here is dilution. A movement without a clear, singular goal risks becoming an echo chamber of good intentions, where critical energy is spread too thin to enact meaningful change.
Performative Activism: A Shift in Focus?
The 2025 march, unlike its predecessor, is not about sheer numbers or dramatic protests. Instead, it emphasizes discussions, panels, and long-term engagement with social justice organizations. On the surface, this shift seems logical—movements must evolve to remain relevant. But is this pivot toward introspection a sign of progress or a concession to fatigue?
There’s a fine line between meaningful dialogue and performative activism. While the march’s organizers insist they’re building a foundation for sustained political engagement, the absence of the fiery energy that characterized 2017 raises doubts. Are we witnessing the quiet death of a once-vibrant movement, or is this a necessary recalibration?
Rebranding Without Rebuilding
The decision to rename the event as the People’s March is a strategic move to broaden its appeal. However, branding can only go so far. Without addressing the underlying fractures and disillusionment within the progressive base, the movement risks becoming a relic of its past glory.
In 2017, the Women’s March was unapologetically bold, unapologetically feminist, and unapologetically focused. The People’s March, by contrast, feels like it’s trying to be everything to everyone—a strategy that rarely succeeds.
The Trump Factor: Looming Large Again
Ironically, the return of Donald Trump to the political stage presents an opportunity for progressives to reignite their cause. Yet, the People’s March has consciously chosen not to center its narrative around Trump.
This decision, while understandable, is also puzzling. Trump remains a polarizing figure whose policies continue to galvanize opposition. By not leveraging this unifying factor, the march risks losing its most potent rallying cry.
Conclusion: A Movement at a Crossroads
The People’s March 2025 is a reflection of the broader challenges facing progressive activism today—fatigue, fragmentation, and a lack of clear direction. While the rebranding and shift toward long-term engagement are commendable, they come at the cost of the passion and urgency that once defined the movement.
In its quest to be inclusive and broad-based, the People’s March risks losing the very spark that made it a historical phenomenon. To reclaim its relevance, it must strike a balance between evolution and the fiery defiance that once brought millions to the streets.
Because without that spark, the People’s March may become just another footnote in the annals of activism—a flickering flame where there was once a raging fire.