Thousands of protesters filled London’s streets on Wednesday to oppose US President Donald Trump’s second state visit to the UK. Organized by the Stop Trump Coalition, a network of over 50 unions, charities, and activist groups, the rally began at Portland Place and moved through Whitehall before gathering in Parliament Square.
Demonstrators carried placards reading “No to Racism” and “Stop Arming Israel,” while smaller versions of the now-iconic “Trump Baby Blimp” floated above the crowds.The Metropolitan Police estimated that approximately 5,000 people attended the protests, with more than 1,600 people providing a police presence.
Protesters voiced concerns ranging from Trump’s stance on climate change to his support for right-wing leaders abroad. Climate campaigner Auriel Dowty Glanville condemned Trump as a “climate denier,” while others criticized the UK government for hosting him in pursuit of trade deals. High-profile speakers included former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Green Party leader Zack Polanski, and comedian Nish Kumar, who rallied against “Trumpism” and its global influence.
Despite the strong opposition, a handful of Trump supporters also appeared, sparking boos from the crowd. There were smaller demonstrations that occurred in Windsor, where Trump was meeting the Royal Family. The protests highlighted deep chasms in public opinion in the U.K. and were part of larger global protests against Trump’s politics.
