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THE ANTI-WAR movement across the UK was true to its word – turning out protestors in their tens of thousands to demonstrate that US President Donald Trump was not welcome in the UK.
Trump hopped around Britain, avoid the protests – but nonetheless the anti-Trump turnout was massive. London saw the largest demonstration since the wars on Afghanistan and Iraq. Police estimated that a quarter of a million protestors were in and around Trafalgar Square by tea time – and more came down after work.
The famous balloon of Trump the baby made a brief appearance in London, but it was packed up at lunchtime and headed north, for Scotland, ahead of the presidential entourage.
Demonstrators congregate at the beginning of the demonstration.
Trump had enjoyed a lavish dinner at Bleinheim Palace last night – and he used a helicopter to get safely to Windsor, where he met the Queen. She was wearing a light blue coat (has no one told her it’s summer?) and it was noticeable that she posed for pictures on her own. No sons or grandsons came out to replace her retired consort.
After tea with the Queen, the Trumps headed off for Scotland. Thousands of protestors met them at the airport, with other local demonstrations also taking place.
The protests have had little press coverage, but anecdotes are being exchanged on social media. The protestors were largely good humoured – but they were also united in condemning the bigotry Trump stands for, and his hard right economic strategy. Placards tore into the US President for his stand on immigrants and women.
“Respect our existence or expect resistance” read one of the London placards. “Feed him to the corgis” came the advice from one of Her Majesty’s suspects as Trump flew overhead, on the way to Windsor. “Just explain this: how are you better than a Nazi?” read a placard in Scotland.
For the establishment, the visit was a mixed blessing. Trump has had his visit to the UK, and the formal state visit can now be put off without anyone losing face. Trump has criticised the leaders of Germany and the UK behind their backs and praised them to the faces, leaving us all none the wiser about what this predictably unpredictable man will do next.
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