Donald Trump’s upcoming second trip to the UK later this year is expected to be met with even more significant protests than those that accompanied his initial state visit during his first term, according to activist groups.
On Thursday, Trump revealed his anticipation of a UK visit in September after Keir Starmer presented him with an invitation from King Charles III while visiting the White House in February.
The Stop Trump coalition is optimistic that their demonstrations will outdo those from Trump’s 2019 state visit, which drew as many as 250,000 participants in a widespread “carnival of resistance.”
Zoe Gardner, a representative for the coalition, expressed: “This time around, we anticipate an even larger turnout, bringing together advocates from various movements. The strong aversion to Donald Trump remains unwavering across the nation.”
Protesters plan to resurrect a blimp depicting Trump in a diaper, which was a key symbol in previous anti-Trump demonstrations, but with intentions to create a larger version as well.
Gardner commented: “The blimp will return, or we may introduce something even grander. While the original still exists, we’re keen to push boundaries with something even more thrilling.”
The coalition hopes that the London mayor will once again allow anti-Trump blimps to fly over the city.
Gardner noted: “Last time, Sadiq Khan permitted us to display it. I expect he will likely do so again, but we must seek approval from the GLA and the police. While there might be changes this time, we are confident that many will take to the streets to express their discontent.”
These protests will challenge the police, even with new legislation intended to limit protest activities and activism.
Gardner stated: “We aim for this to be a bold yet joyful celebration of all that Trump opposes, including the rights of LGBTQ individuals, women’s rights, those of migrants and refugees, union power, and workers’ rights. It will honor every marginalized community in society.”
Demonstrators will also focus on the tech and business leaders who support Trump. Gardner mentioned: “If we were to have a slogan, it would be ‘Stop Trump and fight the oligarchy.’ We oppose empowering the ultra-wealthy, including those who treat Gaza like a commodity and those cozying up to Putin and the tech billionaires seeking tax breaks in the UK.”
Giant papier-mâché figures of tech leaders like Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Elon Musk, which appeared during Trump’s inauguration, will also join the protests, alongside a troupe of dancing chlorinated chickens to parody the UK’s proposed trade agreement with the US.
The coalition is backed by multiple campaigns, including Global Justice Now and the Indivisible Movement from the US, along with groups supporting Palestine and Ukraine.
Starmer’s invitation to Trump is part of a strategy to secure a favorable trade deal with the US. Gardner believes protesters will express their frustration at both Starmer and Trump.
“Starmer should feel embarrassed by these demonstrations. The entire nation has been humiliated by his obsequiousness towards Trump. His approach of ingratiating himself is leading us nowhere,” Gardner asserted.
She concluded with a call for creativity: “We are eager for anyone with imaginative ideas to come forward, as we want to clearly convey our sentiments about Trump.”
