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Thousands of activists gathered outside the US Embassy to march on London in celebration of women’s rights, diversity and equality.

Women’s March on London was planned in solidarity with a similar demonstration taking place in Washington - and the rest of the world - in the wake of Donald Trump’s election victory.

Organisers announced that 100,000 people took part in the huge event, which went from Grosvenor Square to a rally in Trafalgar Square.

Protesters swarmed into central London for the start of the demonstration just after midday - many wielding homemade signs with slogans referring to gender equality or President Trump.

Placards read "dump Trump", "reject hate, reclaim politics" and "no to racism, no to Trump".

Some arrived in dressed in cat ears in a pointed reference to President Trump’s infamous “grab em by the p***y” comments.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and his wife Saadiya were in Trafalgar Square while celebrities including ex-England rugby captain Chris Robshaw and Iron Man 3 actress Rebecca Hall were spotted among the throngs of people.

Hall said she joined the march because she is half American and half English, and said if she had been on the other side of her pond she would have joined the Washington DC demonstration.

She added: "Yesterday was a confusing day and a sad day - I was sad to see Obama leave ... We do not know what the Government is going to be like."

Labour MP Harriet Harman was joined on the march by friend and American-British playwright Bonnie Greer.

Referring to outgoing US president Barack Obama, Ms Harman said: "It's just a shame they have a two-term limit, isn't it?"

Ms Greer warned that Mr Trump's presidency was "not a joke", adding: "This is for real and I think this march demonstrates that London understands that."

The organisers said the march was "for the protection of our fundamental rights and for the safeguarding of freedoms threatened by recent political events".

"We unite and stand together for the dignity and equality of all peoples, for the safety and health of our planet and for the strength of our vibrant and diverse communities," the event page said.

They called for "an international day of action in solidarity" on the day President Trump takes over the Oval Office.

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Asked why she was marching today, Yoga teacher Arendall Piercey told the Standard: “It is incomprehensible that we are even in this position in 2017. And we can’t keep living in an apathetic society.

“We have the means to fight for our rights on behalf of people around the world – so it’s our duty to.

“I hope the march today lets Trump know that he cannot continue bullying everyone who is not white and male.”

Holding a sign saying "my p***y is not up for grabs", Kim McInally said she had travelled from Brighton for the demonstration.

The 32-year-old said: "Yesterday was seen as the official start of fascism coming back."

She claimed "human rights and human equality is getting pushed further and further down the list".

Marches are also happening in other UK cities including Manchester, Edinburgh, Belfast, Liverpool and Cardiff, with thousands expected to attend.