A protestor at an LGBTI solidarity event in front of Stonewall | Photo: Flickr/mathiaswasik
LGBTI people are going to be marching to protest President Donald Trump’s protest to London tomorrow (13 July).
Over 70,000 people are expected to take to the British capital to object to the US president’s views.
The main march will go from Portland Place at 2pm ending at Trafalgar Square at 5pm.
Protest against Trump visiting the UK
Trump continually ignores us | Photo: Flickr/Gage Skidmore
Drag queens, feminists, and artists are among the thousands planning on taking part in the protest.
A Trump baby blimp, depicting the president as a giant baby wearing a diaper and clutching a mobile phone, will soar above Parliament gardens from 9.30 to 11.30am on Friday.
Nik Thakkar, stage name NEO 10Y, is a queer non-binary recording artist.
‘Here we are now in a world where we are more divided by race, gender, sexuality and fear, where kids are locked in cages and where my LGBTQ+ friend’s fear more for their well being than ever before,’ they told Gay Star News.
‘I have been using the symbology of a “broken” and “sad” Mickey Mouse as a representation of a broken world/childhood/America being fucked over by Trump and will be attending the march as that symbol.’
Thakkar says they believe Trump’s impact on the world is negative.
‘London is a progressive city. I think even though we might not have been able to block his visit, we are able to stand up for our views.’
‘We have to show the American people they are not alone in their struggle’
Short, sweet, and to the point | Photo: Provided/Progress Ohio
Allan Doodes, a homosexual retiree who lives in the East Midlands, will also be attending.
‘Trump is, whatever we may want, currently the man with the most power on the planet,’ he told GSN.
‘Our protests may be little more than symbolic, but I feel we have to show the American people that they are not alone in their struggle to recover what Trump is intent on taking from them.’
He added: ‘The UK government should have been less craven to him than it is. And should probably have not invited him to come here immediately after a NATO meeting where – on past performance – he will emerge with no glory.
This could become a diplomatic disaster before he even lands, and I think that this was an avoidable error.’
Trump’s schedule sees him mostly avoiding London. A spokesperson has denied this is to do with the planned protest.
Trump has ‘adopted a broad anti-LGBTI agenda that threatens the rights of millions’
Ruth Hunt, Chief Executive of Stonewall, said the charity was proud to join the day of resistance.
She said: ‘We’re coming together to show our strength and vision for a more positive, inclusive world because marginalized groups should never have to stand alone in the face of hate. We all have a stake in the fight for equality for everyone.
We’re coming together to show our strength and vision for a more positive, inclusive world because marginalized groups should never have to stand alone in the face of hate. We all have a stake in the fight for equality for everyone.
‘Since taking office in January 2017, President Donald Trump and his administration have adopted a broad anti-LGBTI agenda that threatens the rights of millions of lesbian, gay, bi and trans Americans.
‘It’s more important than ever to recognize that the fight for equality in one place is the fight for it everywhere. Despite the enormous progress we have made toward equality, we cannot afford to be complacent.’
