Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of central London on Wednesday to protest the United States President Donald Trump’s unprecedented second state visit to the United Kingdom.
According to the Metropolitan Police, about 5,000 protesters gathered, culminating in a massive rally in front of the UK Parliament.
While Trump was accorded red-carpet treatment at Windsor Castle, roughly 35 kilometres away, demonstrators in London marched with placards, drums, and chants to voice their disapproval of his policies and presence.
“We’re protesting about everything concerning Donald Trump. You don’t even know which placard to carry; there are so many things to dislike,” said Dave Lockett, 67, a retired teacher.
Some protesters carried miniature replicas of the now-famous “Trump Baby” balloon — a caricature of Trump in a nappy — first flown during his 2019 state visit.
Speakers at the rally included Green Party leader Zack Polanski and comedian Nish Kumar, who condemned Trump’s politics of “hate and division.”
“This is the moment to challenge everything Donald Trump stands for. This is the moment to reject the politics of hate,” Polanski told the crowd.
Many participants also linked their protests to wider global causes. Dr. Yashi Sriram, originally from India, held a placard that read, “End the genocide. Stop Trump.” She explained her presence as an act of solidarity with Palestinians.
The protest was organised by the Stop Trump Coalition, a broad alliance including Amnesty International UK, Black Lives Matter UK, Greenpeace, and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
In a statement, the coalition mocked Trump’s schedule, noting his limited presence in London: “Instead, he’ll be hiding and having a sad little carriage ride by himself in Windsor… This is because of the power of our protest.”
The rally ended with chants of “Say it loud, say it clear: Donald Trump not welcome here,” as demonstrators reiterated their rejection of his policies and his visit.
Hobnob News reports that this protest underscores the deep divisions in public opinion surrounding Trump’s foreign engagements and their impact on global politics.
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