Americans are not the only ones speaking out about the election of Donald Trump.
On Saturday, Jan. 21, the day after the inauguration, protests took place in cities across the country and around the world, particularly in response to the degrading comments Trump has made about women.
While the largest demonstration, the Women’s March on Washington, took place in the nation’s capital, the movement inspired ‘sister marches’ around the globe. USA Today reported that over 2.5 million people attended 673 demonstrations in all 50 states and 32 countries. In Washington, the largest single demonstration, organizers estimated 500,000 were in attendance. These demonstrations have revealed global unpopularity and distrust for the Republican candidate during the election season.
People from around the world have been expressing their distaste for the new president in the months preceding his election. In fact, most foreign nations, given the chance, would have elected Clinton.
WIN/Gallup International conducted the most expansive survey, which polled 45 countries and covered nearly 75 percent of the global population. Majorities in all countries, apart from Russia, indicated they would vote for Clinton over Trump. The highest edge for Clinton was in Portugal, Finland, and South Korea, where she led by 80, 79 and 79 percent, respectively. The lowest edge for Clinton was in India, the Palestinian territories, China and Russia. In India and the Palestinian Territories, she led by 22 percent. China had her leading by nine points and the Russians favored Donald Trump by 23 points.
Trump has been particularly unpopular in the United Kingdom. According to The Guardian, almost 100,000 people attended the Women’s March on London and at least 13 more protests took place throughout the U.K. He meets widespread disapproval throughout Western Europe.
“I was shocked when I heard the result and terrified, not just for America but for the example it set for the world,” said Therese Page-Tickell, a 20-year-old psychology major from Swansea University in Swansea, Wales. “Trump is not a good man, you can see that purely from his interaction with his wife and the comments he makes about women, the disabled, veterans and anyone who isn’t of direct benefit to him. And he is now the leader of the free world?”
Individuals have been sensitive not only to the consequences in American politics, but also for repercussions across the globe. Megumi Gomyo, a junior media and communication studies and French major, said that her study abroad professor at Universite de Pau et Pays de l’Adour noted that Trump’s victory gives Marine Le Pen a better chance of winning the upcoming French election in April. Le Pen, leader of the right-wing National Front, has nationalistic views including departing from the euro, pulling out of NATO and cracking down on illegal immigration. She expelled her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, from the party in August 2015 after his controversial comments.
Junior Asian studies major Julian Tash spent the semester studying abroad in Nagoya, Japan and reported the electoral system itself, not merely the result, confuses the locals.
“My impression is that people are befuddled,” said Tash. “They don’t understand the electoral college. They know most Americans didn’t vote for Trump, so they’re like ‘Why is he President?’”
