Hundreds of thousands participated in the Women's March on Washington or in satellite marches across the country Saturday. Throughout the day, VPR will be with Vermonters participating in Washington, D.C., at what is expected to be the largest of the marches, as well at a "sister" event in Montpelier.
VPR's Rebecca Sananes is traveling with a Vermont group headed to the march and will provide updates throughout the day.
Follow reporter Rebecca Sananes for updates from the Women's March on Washington.
While final estimates are still unavailable, Montpelier officials expected as many as 7,000 Saturday, for the Women's March and Unity Rally, held in solidarity with the Washington march. The event included remarks from Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Gov. Madeleine Kunin and 2016 gubernatorial candidate Sue Minter, as well as a performance by slam poetry group, Muslim Girls Making Change.
Follow reporter Annie Russell for the latest from the Montpelier march.
Follow VPR on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for highlights from throughout the day.
Saturday Jan. 21 10:40 p.m. (final update)
The estimate for the turnout at Montpelier's march now stands at 15,000. Read the full story from VPR's Annie Russell here.
Saturday Jan. 21, 2017, 4:10 p.m.
Exit 8 is now open in both directions.
Saturday Jan. 21, 2017, 3:45 p.m.
According to the Vermont State Police, exit 7 is now open in both directions. Off ramps for exit 8 and 9 remain closed at this time.
Crowds at the Statehouse are beginning to disperse, though at their peak the lawn was jam packed with marchers:
Sen. Bernie Sanders shared a message of solidarity with women during his remarks to the packed Statehouse lawn.
Saturday Jan. 21, 2017, 3 p.m.
At this time, exit 7, 8 and 9 off ramps from I-89 are closed. On ramps at all three locations remain open.
Not going to hazard a crowd count, but turnout is considerable, to say the least, at #WomensMarch in Montpelier #vtpoli pic.twitter.com/iCqo2JcYrw
— Peter Hirschfeld (@PeteHirschfeld) January 21, 2017
Saturday Jan. 21, 2017, 2 p.m.
The Vermont State Police have announced they will be closing I-89 exit 9 (Middlesex) shortly, and exit 8 at Montpelier remains closed. "Traffic is backed up for miles both north and south bound in the travel and passing lanes in the area," police said. Montpelier City Police Chief Tony Facos says "travel within the city is highly restricted and city roads cannot support any more people or vehicles."
Among those in the crowd at the Statehouse are former gubernatorial candidate Sue Minter and Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman:
@SueMinterVT and @DaveZuckermanVT are marching in Montpelier #vtpoli pic.twitter.com/yMvCgKFZ1e
— Neal P. Goswami (@nealgoswami) January 21, 2017
As well as Sen. Bernie Sanders:
@BernieSanders is marching in Montpelier #vtpoli #WomensMarch pic.twitter.com/U0GKAogMH8
— Vermont Press Bureau (@vtpressbureau) January 21, 2017
Saturday Jan. 21, 2017, 1:30 p.m.
Just after 1 p.m. Saturday, the Vermont State Police closed Montpelier exit 8 on I-89 in both directions due to the congestion caused by motorists trying to make their way to Saturday's march in Montpelier. Commuters are advised at this time to seek alternative routes.
Those who have made it to the march route are making their way to the Vermont Statehouse:
Marchers participating in today's #WomensMarch on Montpelier arrive at the Statehouse. #VT https://t.co/gXC5TtLty9
— Vermont Public Radio (@vprnet) January 21, 2017
Still streaming in #vtpoli #womensmarch pic.twitter.com/F29iKMviQK
— Neal P. Goswami (@nealgoswami) January 21, 2017
Saturday Jan. 21, 2017, 12:30 p.m.
Vermont State Police say there are long backups north and south bound on I-89 near Montpelier due to today's events. They advise motorists to seek alternative routes or "use care and caution when approaching exit 8."
The Women's March on Montpelier is expected to begin around 1 p.m. at Montpelier High School.
In the nation's capital, the Women's March on Washington is well underway.
NPR: Women's March Floods Washington, Sparking Rallies Worldwide
VPR's Rebecca Sananes is with a group of Vermonters participating in the march and says spirits are high and "the energy is really positive" among those gathered.
VTers show up to D.C. #WomensMarch pic.twitter.com/GCDliqon3r
— Rebecca Sananes (@rebzsays) January 21, 2017
#WomensMarch pic.twitter.com/hpqpNyKtH0
— Rebecca Sananes (@rebzsays) January 21, 2017
Saturday Jan. 21, 2017, 11 a.m.
After a 13-hour bus ride, the D.C.-bound group arrived in Washington and is on their way to the starting point for today's march:
VPR's Rebecca Sananes is in D.C. with Vermonters headed to the #WomensMarch on Washington. Follow @rebzsays for the latest. #VT pic.twitter.com/uOWgEjbrra
— Vermont Public Radio (@vprnet) January 21, 2017
Saturday Jan. 21, 2017, 9:30 a.m.
Having traveled over 530 miles through the night, eager passengers on the Washington-bound bus begin to ready themselves for the march as they pass through Maryland.
Energy up hats on #WomensMarch pic.twitter.com/rHsfzaQlex
— Rebecca Sananes (@rebzsays) January 21, 2017
Traffic into the nation's capital is heavy this morning so the last 15 miles of their journey will likely take them at least another half hour.
We're getting there #WomensMarch pic.twitter.com/Boeiz7jmnv
— Rebecca Sananes (@rebzsays) January 21, 2017
Friday Jan. 20, 2017, 9:15 p.m.
The Washington-bound bus filled with Vermonters headed to the Women's March on Washington started its journey in Berlin, Vt., Friday night. Passengers brought signs and hats they've made for tomorrow's march:
Erin shows off one of her signs preparing for tomorrow's #WomensMarchOnWashington Follow her, @vprnet and me as we road trip down! pic.twitter.com/iuJkNKoJ9A
— Rebecca Sananes (@rebzsays) January 21, 2017
Here we go @vprnet! VTers in their "pussyhats" as they wait for the bus to #WomensMarch pic.twitter.com/Zue7MkrhcR
— Rebecca Sananes (@rebzsays) January 21, 2017
Follow VPR's Rebecca Sananes for the latest from their journey.
This post will be updated throughout the day with highlights from both the Montpelier and Washington D.C. events.
