As Washington D.C. prepares for the inauguration of the 45th President of the United States, hundreds of thousands of ordinary citizens — or future citizens — are headed to the nation’s capital to celebrate as Donald Trump takes office, or protest the agenda of his incoming administration. Here are some of their stories. 

“I believe we have to be the change that we wish to see.”

Ruth Helen Kesiena Okurume (nee) Jones, Meridian, Mississippi

For Ruth Jones, participating in the Women’s March would finish something she started almost six decades ago.

In late 1957, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. published his book, “Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story.” One year later, Jones started school at Alabama State University in Montgomery during an era of sit-ins and marches.

“Professors would schedule exams on the days we were supposed to march,” Jones said. “They were just trying really hard to protect people… but that’s when I learned, you have to be willing to take the risks. But, also, how the people who are supporting you are not always serious about it.”

Jones recalled attempting to march with a pregnant instructor. Police stopped Jones and her instructor’s group, pushing them into a paddy wagon. Police eventually released them, instructing everyone to leave the area. 

Now, nearly 59 years later, Jones has another chance.

“I believe we have to be the change that we wish to see,” Jones said. “The energy and time people spend spotlighting injustices… it’s important.”

Jones, a Hillary Clinton voter, predicted Donald Trump’s win after listening to Fox radio programs. 

“Trump could ‘Make America Great Again,’” Jones said. “But not if we got back to the 50s. That time is over.”

For Jones, after spending a year listening to “violent language filled with hate,” she needed to do something. 

“This (march) will cleanse some of this stuff off of me,” she said, referring especially to the President-elect’s past comments about women. “You just feel like you’ve been used up.”

Last time, Jones tried to march against Jim Crow laws. Now, influenced by the book ‘The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Incarceration,’ by Michelle Alexander, she marches for the same reason.

“I’m trying to complete the cycle.”

By Whitney Downard, The Meridian, Mississippi Star

“I think he is going to be a very good president.”

Dwayne Collins, Athens, Texas

When Donald J. Trump raises his right hand on Friday, Jan. 20, and recites the words prescribed by the Constitution, East Texas veterinarian Dr. Dwayne “Doc” Collins will be a face in the throng.

“I think he is going to be a very good president,” Collins said. “It’s evident in the way he’s picked his cabinet.”

Collins, a member of the Edom TEA Party and Co-Chair of the Texas/Wisconsin Strike Force, is making the trip despite being in treatment for bone cancer.

The Strike Force played a part in helping Trump achieve his razor-thin win in the Democratic stronghold of Wisconsin. Between Oct. 29 and Nov. 6, the group spent as many as 10 hours a day walking, flag waving and greeting citizens.

“I do feel in my travels up to Wisconsin and through the heart of our country, that there was an enthusiasm that I had not seen before,” Collins said. “People are excited. They’re ready for a different direction.”

For Collins, attending the inauguration will be another new experience.

Like many Republicans, when the campaigning began for the 2016, Collins — a former Ted Cruz delegate — was backing a different candidate’s effort to get the nomination.

“Donald Trump was not my first pick. He was not even my second or third,” Collins said. “I have questions about how Donald Trump conducts himself. I feel he’s at times a school-yard bully.”

By Rich Flowers, The Athens, Texas Daily Review

“My parents are immigrants and I’m really worried about Trump’s plan for illegal immigrants.”

Stephanie Falcon, Gainesville, Florida

When Stephanie Falcon, 31, first heard about the Women’s March on Washington, she knew it was something she had to be a part of. 

Falcon is “definitely not a fan” of the incoming president and felt “helpless” after the results of the election. 

“Something inside of me said I have to go — even though I don’t know what the results of the march will be — I have to go,” she said. 

While aware the march will not change the result of the election, Falcon is hoping the demonstration will “raise awareness” about the possibility of losing civil rights and liberties.

Falcon is the daughter of two immigrants and is concerned about immigration sweeps that could possibly put innocent residents into detention camps. 

“My parents are immigrants and I’m really worried about Trump’s plan for illegal immigrants,” she said. 

Falcon said there is a precedent for detention camps and is afraid she may be put into a detention camp simply based on how she looks. 

“I was born in America, but I look like an immigrant,” she said. “And, who knows how long I’ll be detained before being able to speak to an attorney.”

By the staff of the Valdosta, Georgia Daily Times.

“I latched onto him from the beginning.” 

Scott James, Valdosta, Georgia

Scott James, a Valdosta, Georgia-based business owner and radio personality for more than two decades, will be traveling to the presidential inauguration aboard an appropriately decorated “Trump Bus.” 

This tour bus, decorated with the American flag and large photo of Donald Trump, came through Valdosta in October, which is when James met Danny Hamilton, the man behind the bus.

After a successful campaign, Hamilton decided to hit the road with his buses and invited supporters from across the state to hop aboard for a small fee. 

James, who has been an outspoken Trump supporter since the beginning of the campaign, joined the group. 

“I latched onto him from the beginning,” James said of Trump. “I thought ‘I’m going to support this cat because he’s not an established politician.’”

Although his decision to pick Trump wasn’t always popular, he stood by it and is now happy to say he “was right.” 

On the same note, he said that traveling to this inauguration was important because he “may not be right twice.” 

“I think (the inauguration) is a people watching experience,” James said. “I want to see the protest and how it all plays out.” 

By the staff of the Valdosta, Georgia Daily Times

“I’m concerned with pro-choice and women’s rights to choose what they do with their bodies.” 

Stephanie Fowler, Edmond, Oklahoma

Edmond, Oklahoma business owner Stephanie Fowler advocates for the empowerment of women and freedom.

She will join more than 200,000 women from across the U.S. at Saturday’s “Women’s March on Washington” — one day after the inauguration of Donald Trump as the nation’s 45th president.

“After Trump’s election and the politics that has gone throughout this political race, I just feel like there is a necessary need for women to speak up,” Fowler, 33, said.

“I felt there were times throughout this political process where women were oppressed.”

As a women’s rights activist, Fowler believes women need to advocate for themselves.

She is one of millions of women across the nation that will have their eyes set on Washington, D.C., to monitor the policies enacted by Congress and the Trump administration.

“I’m concerned with the Supreme Court appointments. I’m concerned with pro-choice and women’s rights to choose what they do with their bodies,” Fowler said.

Fowler said she is also concerned with her rights as an open lesbian being protected and also the Affordable Care Act.

Fowler said she was blindsided by the election of Trump.

“The moment I heard about the women’s march, I knew I wanted to be part of it for a greater cause,” she said.

By James Coburn, The Edmond, Oklahoma Sun 

“Both of us have been to Washington many times, but to see it through our grandkids’ eyes is going to be very special.”

Janice and Johnny Westmoreland, Milledgeville, Georgia

Janice and Johnny Westmoreland will board a bus this week, along with their two adult daughters and two grandchildren, and head to Washington, D.C.

“This will be the first time our grandkids get to see any of (Washington, D.C.),” Janice Westmoreland said. “I can hardly wait.”

For the past 10 years, Janice Westmoreland has held multiple positions in the Baldwin County Republican Party. She is secretary of the local party, assistant secretary of the GOP’s 10th District, and is a member of the party’s state leadership committee. Husband Johnny is serving his second term on the local county commission.

“We first met Trump in South Carolina at the South Carolina Tea Party Convention,” the commissioner recalled. “They had about seven or eight guests speakers there, and he just happened to be one of them.”

Janice also served as a delegate at last summer’s GOP convention and was on the convention floor to witness Trump accept the party’s nomination.

“I’ve been a Trump supporter ever since that day, really,” Janice said, recalling first hearing him speak in South Carolina. “I had my eyes on him three or four years ago because he would be on Fox News every Monday morning, and I just thought ‘Wow, this is the kind of guy we need to run our country.’”

The Westmorelands said they are both pleased that their grandchildren will get to witness history in the making firsthand and take in the sites of the nation’s capitol.

“Both of us have been to Washington many times, but to see it through our grandkids’ eyes is going to be very special.”

By Will Woolever, The Milledgeville, Georgia Union Recorder

“I usually go out dancing.”

Emma Smith, Traverse City, Michigan

Emma Smith will celebrate her 28th birthday on a bus headed for the U.S. capital in a celebration much different from her typical birthday itinerary.

“I usually go out dancing,” Smith said.

But organizing a bus from her Michigan hometown to the Women’s March on Washington seemed a better way to mobilize her post-election mindset, said the coffee bar manager.

“The election was a trying time for the majority of us,” Smith said. “I was scrambling…I wondered, what can I do to make my voice heard? This was the first thing that presented itself as something tangible that I could do.”

The bus sold out quickly with tickets at $150 a pop. But included in the plan were 16 scholarship seats for people — likely young people — who couldn’t afford the fare, yet felt the same fire she did, Smith said.

Being born on Inauguration Day always carries the chance of her birthday being a “bummer” every four years, but Smith is glad she’ll celebrate this year’s birthday among a convergence of like-minded people driven to put the new president on notice.

“I just think that I’ll feel really good to be around a huge group of people who are supportive of me as a woman, and who are supportive of other people,” Smith said. “It’s good for us like-minded people to show visibility, that we’re watching, we’re here and we’re going to be here the whole time you’re in the office.” 

By the staff of the Traverse City, Michigan Record-Eagle

“We are just honored to be invited.” 

Gene and Donna Griffin, Vigo County, Indiana

Gene and Donna Griffin spearheaded the creation of the Griffin Bike Park in Vigo County in memory of their son, U.S. Army Sgt. Dale Griffin, 29, who died in Afghanistan in 2009 when an improvised explosive device hit his vehicle.

Through that endeavor, the Griffins became connected with Karen Pence, Indiana’s bicentennial ambassador, and her husband, former Indiana Gov. and U.S. Vice President-elect Mike Pence. Each of them enjoy bike riding and the park was named an Indiana Bicentennial Legacy Project.

Pence, while still governor, spoke at the park’s dedication in October. It’s that connection that resulted in a formal invitation to the presidential inauguration, which arrived in early January in an embossed envelope, complete with special identifications and passwords to scheduled events.

Those events, in addition to the inauguration, include an inaugural ball, a concert, visit to Arlington National Cemetery to hang a wreath and attend a service at the Washington National Cathedral. “I have always wanted to attend a service at the National Cathedral,” Gene Griffin said.

There is a grave marker in Arlington Cemetery which includes Sgt. Dale Griffin’s name. Griffin’s body is buried in Terre Haute at Highland Lawn Cemetery. “It is special thing for us. We found that Captain Eugene Fowler (the first man from Vigo County to lose his life in the Vietnam War) is buried just down the hill” from the grave marker in Arlington Cemetery, Griffin said.

“We are just honored to be invited,” Griffin added. “We are nobody, but the only reason (they are recognized) is because of the 90 corporations and 1,600 hours from 1,200 volunteers” who helped create the Griffin Bike Park, Griffin said. “We are just excited to be part of something that is turning a new page, like a new year, with all the possibilities and feel that energy. We are going to Washington to represent Terre Haute and the people of Terre Haute,” he said.

By Howard Greninger, The Terre Haute, Indiana Tribune-Star

“Without free speech we can’t have democracy.”

JoeAnn Hart, Gloucester, Massachusetts

JoeAnn Hart, an author and community activist from Gloucester, Massachusetts, is traveling to D.C. on a bus organized by International Music’s Jody Sundquist.

“We are all,” wrote Hart in an email, “going to let the world know that women are watching what the new administration is doing with women’s rights, gay rights, and human rights, and we’re ready to act.”

Hart has knit Pussyhats — bright pink, knitted hats with cat ears — expected to be worn by tens of thousands of demonstrators participating in a coast-to-coast Facebook-fueled knitting bee. “I have crocheted Pussyhats for my group on the bus,” says Hart, “including my daughters and their friends, and a friend who is flying in from Michigan to go to D.C. on our bus.”

On Sunday, Jan. 15, Hart moderated an event she helped organize — readings of protest literature and speeches by local actors and authors, followed by public discussion. The intent of the readings, said Hart, was to reaffirm a commitment to the First Amendment and the freedoms of democracy. “Without free speech we can’t have democracy,” she said.

By the staff of the Gloucester, Massachusetts Daily Times

“I am really excited for this kind of person to hold office.”

Dr. Wagas Khan, Effingham, Illinois

Dr. Waqas Khan can’t vote yet, but he’s attending the inauguration of Donald Trump.

Khan, a Muslim who lives in Effingham, plans to take the oath of United States citizenship in the next few weeks. Meanwhile, he plans to attend the Jan. 20 inauguration of the nation’s 45th president.

“It’s a very historic moment,” Khan said. “Here is (someone) who has never held public office — an outsider. I am really excited for this kind of person to hold office.”

Khan, a native of Pakistan, called it a huge privilege to live in the United States. That privilege shouldn’t be given to just anybody, he said.

“I’ve seen people plan their pregnancies to be in the United States when their baby is born,” he said. “I find that very offensive and outrageous.”

Nor is Khan troubled by Trump’s anti-Muslim rhetoric during the campaign. He said there are some Muslims who should be kept out of the country.

“I understand where he is coming from,” the doctor said. “He has already softened his stance (on Muslim immigration). But terrorism is still a huge issue.”

By Bill Grimes, The Effingham, Illinois Daily News

“Any inauguration is an important moment in history. I am respectful of the day.”

Charles Facka, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania

Community organizer Charles Facka, a Democrat, will be in Washington D.C. for the inauguration but doesn’t expect to be anywhere near the swearing in.

“I’ll be there, holding up placards, such as ‘He’s not my president,'” Facka said.

There is an area where protesters can express themselves, he said. “It’s about three blocks away. No one will see us.”

Facka still thinks it’s important to be there and make his views known. “This is a democracy and everyone should try to be participants in whatever fashion possible.”

Facka served as manager for former Lewisburg mayor Mike Molesevich, during his campaign to win the U.S. House seat for the 10th Congressional District, ultimately won by Republican incumbent Tom Marino, Cogan Station.

“Whatever you think of Donald Trump,” he continued, “any inauguration is an important moment in history. I am respectful of the day.”

He is not enamored of the candidate. “Trump’s cabinet choices are shockingly unqualified,” Facka contends. “Even his supporters are realizing he’s not going to be draining any swamps. He’s just another politician. I’m hearing it from his supporters now.”

Facka is heading to Washington on Thursday, the 18th. He admits that he is concerned that violence could break out. “It’s something I’ve thought about.”

By Rick Dandes, The Sunbury, Pennsylvania Daily Item

“I would have worked for any of the other 16 Republican candidates.”

Dianne Putnam, Dalton, Georgia

A veteran Republican Party activist and tea party member, Dianne Putnam has been to Washington, D.C., several times.

“I’ve been there before with groups of conservatives, rallying for a cause, to voice our concerns about things that were taking place in the Obama administration,” said Putnam, a longtime resident of Dalton, Georgia. “But now, we are going back in victory.”

She admits that the last eight years have sometimes been frustrating. Grassroots efforts to keep Congress from approving the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, failed. When Republicans gained control of Congress in 2010, the were unable to repeal the law. Obama won re-election in 2012

“But we didn’t act like the Democrats. We didn’t cry. We didn’t need sedatives. We made our opinions know, but nobody got arrested. We didn’t threaten anyone or harm anyone,” she said.

Putnam said she would have supported the Republican nominee no matter who it was but supported Trump from the start.

“He was his own man. He had the courage to stand up to the political establishment and call them out,” she said. “I would have worked for any of the other 16 Republican candidates, but not with the enthusiasm that I did for Trump. I’m so excited to be going.”

By the staff of the Dalton, Georgia Daily Citizen

“I am woman, hear me roar.”

The women of UAW Local 292 & UAW Local 685, Kokomo, Indiana

Inside the UAW Local 292 in Kokomo, women gathered with posters and pens, etching out signs that represent specific messages directed to the countries newly elected government officials.

Signs that read, “Respect” and “Proud to be a woman” and, “UAW Women March on Washington” reflect the mutual feelings of members of this local union in a state that voted by 57 percent for Donald Trump.

Monica Sanders, a member for 11 years, decorated her poster with the phrase, “I am woman, hear me roar.”

She’ll carry her poster, along with 19 other women in Local 292 and 13 women from UAW Local 685, as they march the streets of Washington, D.C., the day following the presidential inauguration.

“I’m not going as a protester against him,” Sanders said in reference to the soon-to-be President-elect Donald Trump.

“I’m going as a supporter of women,” she clarified.

As a single mother, Sanders felt it imperative to embark on this journey to stand in solidarity, she says, with other women and men attending the Women’s March on Washington.

“I believe that every woman has the same rights as a man [and] everybody deserves equal job opportunity, equal pay opportunity,” Sanders said. “Things are starting to fall through the cracks and I don’t want to have to have my children or my grandkids have to fight for the rights of women.”

By the staff of the Kokomo, Indiana Tribune

Produced by Brandon Vaughn and Alexandra Nicolas