Sights and Sounds from the Boston Women's March

Editor's Note: Some of the language and signs contain mature language

BOSTON— There was a sea of knit pink hats all day Saturday in Boston.

According to Mayor Martin Walsh's office, 175,000 activists gathered for a program and march in protest of President Donald Trump and his policies.

Patch was reporting from the scene throughout the day. Here are some of the sights and sounds.

• RELATED: Why They Marched: An "Anchor Baby," a Sexual Assault Survivor, and a Gay Man.

It started out with a crowd filling up in the disabilities section. Two men in particular were nodding to reporters walking by on their way to the press stage.

Christopher S. Lorant and Mitchell Tunic

Mitchell Tunic had a pink poster with, "I am a feminist," scrawled in Sharpie taped to his walker. He was incredulous. Tunic said, "I haven't seen anything like this since Vietnam War protests. I've never had a sense that we need to speak up like this since 1968."

The number one issue for Tunic was environment. He said, "Trump already is taking actions to do away with regulations to hinder our climate. The scientists like myself—as a doctor I worry about the immediate effects of his administration on scientific research."

He explained why he was wearing the pink knit hat. "I think the pussy hat declares to women that they are not to be taken advantage of, and that they're not demoted to second-class citizenship."

Christopher S. Lorant of Framingham considered Tunic a friend within an hour. "This is my newfound brother."

Over 75 buses from different cities, and in some cases, states, rolled in. A group of boarding school students from St. George's School in Newport, RI took photos by one of the Common gates. Bochu Ding, 17, said, "A lot of us are here to stand in solidarity with minorities who are influenced by the rhetoric of the President." His schoolmate Charlotte, of Bedford, N.Y. chimed in, "Love is love. I'm here for generations of women and those to come."

St. George's School students

Kimberly, an 8-year-old from Beverly, told Patch she drew a "Trumpty Dumpty," because "he needs to fall off a wall." Her father, Steven, said, "We think it's important that Kimberly sees feminism here, and what it's all about. The guy in office doesn't have a lot of respect for women or their rights."

Kimberly with her drawing

Congressman Joseph Kennedy III was "disappointed" in Trump's speech. He said in an interview, "It's important that the President of the United States govern to all Americans."

State, local, and federal elected officials showed their support for the protesters, including Attorney General Maura Healey, Boston City Councilors Wu, Campbell, and Pressley, and Boston Mayor Martin Walsh in the photo below.

Credit: Sarah Betancourt

The program, beginning with singing from multiple choirs like the Boston Children's Choir and Voices Rising, featured Senators Elizabeth Warren and Markey, Pastor Mariama White-Hammond, union leaders, and nonprofit activists.

Walsh gave a spirited speech. "Massachusetts has the proud distinction of being the first state in the country for so many things. In 2004, we brought to this state to make sure our residents would have the healthcare they deserve." This was in reference to public concerns over repeals of the Affordable Care Act, a small part of which was scaled back by the President in his first executive order as president.

Credit: Sarah Betancourt

The crowd was elated when Warren gave a heated speech about Trump policies. She spoke of a "Trump-Pence Supreme Court" overturning Roe v. Wade, and the potential dissolution of the marriages of LGBTQ citizens. Her theme focused on metaphorical taxes on "unions, wage, pensions, healthcare, social security, education, and infrastructure," and how it has "gutted America's middle class," as a result of "systemic racism."

She also made headlines in saying that that "stupid wall" won't be built.

Watch the full speech here.

Savannah Fox Tree of the First Nations sang "Amazing Grace" in Cherokee, and then in English as many in the crowd seemed to weep and hold hands. Thousands of people cheered when Attorney General Healey said, ""I have a message for President Trump from the people of Massachusetts -- we'll see you in court. I'm serious," referencing Massachusetts' roles in the suit against the Environmental Protection Agency regarding greenhouse gas regulation under the presidency of George W. Bush.

Crowd of thousands fills Boston Common

After many false starts due to far more demonstrators showing up than predicted, political leaders led the march down a short route around Charles, Arlington, and Boylston Street, with thousands waiting hours to march.

Marchers held signs with disgusted tones, like "Ugh," or more poetic messages like Emma Lazarus' "The New Colossus," referring to immigration. Other posters warned, "history has its eyes on you," and "Girl Power vs. Trump Tower." One particular series of signs floated throughout the crowds all day.

The mood of the crowd ranged from couples silently walking holding hands, to angry yells, of "this is what democracy looks like," to more hopeful tones as the bell tower of the Arlington Street Church rang many songs, including "We Shall Overcome."

The bell master would often peer his head out to the cheers of an elated crowd.

Credit: Sarah Betancourt

The Mayor's Office and Boston Women's March Organizers estimated 175,000 attendees, far beyond the 25,000 originally anticipated at the beginning of January. The Boston Police Department said there were no arrests.