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Alicia Keys, Janelle Monae and Madonna were among artists who performed at the Women's March on Washington on Saturday, January 21. According to reports, the protest drew 500,000 women and men to the nation's capital.

Keys took the stage and recited Maya Angelou's poem "Still I Rise". She also gave some encouraging words to protesters before performing her hit "Girl on Fire". "Let us continue to honor all that is beautiful about being feminine," Keys said. "We are mothers. We are caregivers. We are artists. We are activists. We are entrepreneurs, doctors, leaders of industry and technology. Our potential is unlimited. We rise!"

She continued, "We will not allow our bodies to be owned and controlled by men in government, or men anywhere for that matter. We will not allow our compassionate souls to get stepped on. We want the best for all Americans. No hate, no bigotry, no Muslim registry. We value education, health care and equality."

The 35-year-old songbird then led the crowd in a chant before performing a brief version of "Girl on Fire". She changed the lyrics "This girl is on fire" into "These girls are on fire" to reflect the masses who gathered.

Meanwhile, Monae was joined by the mothers of five young black men who were unjustly killed, three of which at the hand of police officers. She delivered a fiery speech before performing her song "Hell You Talmbout". "Get off our areolas, get off our vaginas," said Monae. "It was a woman who gave us Martin Luther King. It was a woman who gave us Malcolm X. It was a woman who gave us Jesus." During her performance, Monae called out the names of Janisha Fonville and Sandra Bland, to which the crowd responded, "Say her name!"

Living legend Madonna made a surprise appearance at the Saturday rally as she delivered a powerful speech. "Can you hear me? Are you ready to shake up the world? Welcome to the revolution of love," Madonna told the marchers. "To the rebellion, to our refusal as women to accept this new age of tyranny. Where not just women are in danger, but all marginalized people." She then led the crowd through a chant of "We choose love" before performing some of her tracks, including "Express Yourself" and "Human Nature".

Women's March is an act to send a message to government saying that women stand together in solidarity and expect elected leaders to act to protect the rights of women, their families and their community. Hundreds of thousands of protesters watched speakers and performers' passionate pleas, speeches and song at the Saturday movement. Actresses America Ferrera and Scarlett Johansson were among notable speakers who expressed their hopes and fears, a day after President Donald Trump was sworn in.

Women's March took place all across the country including the March in Los Angeles, where it attracted a powerhouse lineup of speakers and performers. Barbra Streisand, Jane Fonda, Natalie Portman, Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato and many more spoke of the need to protect women's rights in the wake of Trump's presidency.