Donald Trump has been advised to move his state visit to avoid mass protests
(
Getty
)
Donald Trump’s state visit will be greeted by the biggest anti-racism protest in British history no matter where in the country the Government moves it to, campaigners have said.
Local politicians and activists in Birmingham reacted with anger to suggestions that the trip could be relocated to their city – and pledged to flood the streets with protesters to greet the “hateful” President.
The idea of moving the protest to avoid demonstrations in London has reportedly been suggested to the White House, with a rally at the National Exhibition Centre apparently on the cards.
Download the new Independent Premium app
Sharing the full story, not just the headlines
Donald Trump's state visit to UK will occur 'around June', London police chief says
Shabana Mahmood, Labour MP for Birmingham Ladywood, said Mr Trump and his “hateful” politics were no more welcome in her city than they were in London.
“Birmingham is a wonderfully diverse city, home to people of every background, every faith,” she said.
“President Trump with his hateful and divisive rhetoric, policies and Muslim ban is not welcome here.”
Kerry Jenkins, Labour councillor for the city’s Hall Green Ward, said Mr Trump was a “racist and a misogynist who is using his power to divide”.
“If these rumours are proven I will be calling on all colleagues and citizens to stand together and demonstrate as we have done many times before in our great city when far right politics has reared its ugly head,” she said.
Salma Yaqoob, a Birmingham campaigner who previously sat on the city council, warned that if “Donald Trump comes to the great city of Birmingham, our diverse communities will take to the streets in our thousands”.
Cities and towns across the UK have already staged demonstrations against the US President and the cosy approach taken by Theresa May towards his administration.
Inside Politics newsletter
The latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox
People took to the streets in 36 different locations across the country at the end of last month, with the biggest demonstration in London. There, as many as 40,000 people packed Whitehall at just 36 hours notice.
The cross-party Stop Trump Coalition formed in the wake of those protests. It enjoys support from Labour, SNP, Green and Liberal Democrat MPs – as well as the general secretaries of major trade unions, including Unison, GMB, FBU, RMT, and the TUC.
An anti-Trump protest outside Downing Street on 30 January (Getty Images)
Journalists and celebrities including Lily Allen, Paloma Faith, and Frankie Boyle have also officially signed up to the initiative.
Owen Jones, writer and co-founder of the group, said: “Donald Trump’s state visit will be marked by the biggest protest against racism and hatred in our country’s history.
“It doesn’t matter where he goes. We will march in our millions against him, and our government’s collusion, in every town and city in Britain.”
The current biggest protest in Britain’s history took place against the Iraq war, when at least a million people took to the streets in London in concert with other protests around the globe.
Donald Trump considers ‘brand new’ travel ban
On Sunday morning, David Lidington, the leader of the House of Commons, confirmed that there was no “set venue” for the state visit, adding that discussions about its details were “still ongoing”.
“The Trump visit is still under discussion between the two governments,” he told the BBC’s The Andrew Marr Show.
“As with any State visit there’s a whole range of variables so the diaries of the key players on both sides, what makes up a good programme, when’s the right timing.”
In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump
Show all 32
In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump
1/32 London
An image of President Donald Trump is seen on a placard during the Women's March in London, England
Getty
2/32 Sydney
A view of the skywriting word reading 'Trump' as thousands rally in support of equal rights in Sydney, New South Wales
EPA
3/32 Rome
People shout and hold signs during a rally against US newly sworn-in President Donald Trump in Rome
Getty Images
4/32 London
A protester holds a placard during the Women's March in London, England
Getty Images
5/32 Marseille
A placard ready 'Pussy grabs back' is attached to the handle bar of a bike during a 'Women's March' organized by Feminist and human rights groups in solidarity with women marching in Washington and around the world for their rights and against the reactionary politics of the newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump, at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France
Getty Images
6/32 Bangkok
A young Thai girl holds a "women's rights are human rights" sign at Roadhouse BBQ restaurant where many of the Bangkok Womens March participants gathered in Bangkok, Thailand
Getty Images
7/32 Bangkok
A Thai woman takes a photo of a "hate is not great" sign at the women's solidarity gathering in Bangkok, Thailand
Getty Images
8/32 Bangkok
American expats and travellers gather with the international community in Bangkok at the Roadhouse BBQ restaurant to stand in solidarity in Bangkok, Thailand
Getty Images
9/32 London
Protetesters gather outside The US Embassy in Grosvenor Square ahead of the Women's March in London, England
Getty Images
10/32 Marseille
Women's March at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France
Getty Images
11/32 Marseille
Protestors hold placards reading 'My body my choice, my vote my voice' during a 'Women's March' organized by Feminist and human rights groups in solidarity with women marching in Washington and around the world for their rights and against the reactionary politics of the newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump, at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France
Getty Images
12/32 Rome
A person holds a sign during a rally against US newly sworn-in President Donald Trump in Rome
Getty Images
13/32 Kolkata
Activist Sarah Annay Williamson holds a placard and shouts slogan during the Women's March rally in Kolkata, India
AP
14/32 Kolkata
Activists participate in the Women's March rally in Kolkata, India
AP
15/32 London
A Women's March placards are rested on a bench outside the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square ahead of the Women's March in London, England
Getty Images
16/32 London
A women carries her placard ahead of the Women's March in London, England
Getty Images
17/32 Manila
Women protesters shout slogans while displaying placards during a rally in solidarity against the inauguration of President Donald Trump, in suburban Quezon city, northeast of Manila, Philippines
AP
18/32 Berlin
Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany
AP
19/32 Berlin
Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany
AP
20/32 Berlin
Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany
AP
21/32 Melbourne
Protesters take part in the Melbourne rally to protest against the Trump Inauguration in Melbourne, Australia
Getty Images
22/32 Macau
Protesters take part in the Women's March rally in Macau
Getty Images
23/32 Melbourne
Womens march on Melbourne protestors marching during a rally where rights groups marched in solidarity with Americans to speak out against misogyny, bigotry and hatred
Rex
24/32 Macau
Protesters hold placards as they take part at the Women's March rally in Macau
Getty Images
25/32 Macau
Protesters hold placards as they take part at the Women's March rally in Macau, Macau. The Women's March originated in Washington DC but soon spread to be a global march calling on all concerned citizens to stand up for equality, diversity and inclusion and for women's rights to be recognised around the world as human rights
Getty Images
26/32 Manila
A mother carries her son as they join a rally in solidarity against the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States in suburban Quezon city northeast of Manila, Philippines
AP
27/32 Sydney
An infant is held up at a demonstration against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia
Getty Images
28/32 Sydney
A woman attends a demonstration against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia
Getty Images
29/32 Sydney
A woman expresses her Anti-Trump views in Sydney, Australia
Getty Images
30/32 Sydeney
Protesters demonstrate against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia. The marches in Australia were organised to show solidarity with those marching on Washington DC and around the world in defense of women's rights and human rights
Getty
31/32 London
Protesters march from The US Embassy in Grosvenor Square towards Trafalgar Square during the Women's March in London, England
Getty
32/32 London
Protesters carrying banners take part in the Women's March on London, as they stand in Trafalgar Square, in central London
Reuters
1/32 London
An image of President Donald Trump is seen on a placard during the Women's March in London, England
Getty
2/32 Sydney
A view of the skywriting word reading 'Trump' as thousands rally in support of equal rights in Sydney, New South Wales
EPA
3/32 Rome
People shout and hold signs during a rally against US newly sworn-in President Donald Trump in Rome
Getty Images
4/32 London
A protester holds a placard during the Women's March in London, England
Getty Images
5/32 Marseille
A placard ready 'Pussy grabs back' is attached to the handle bar of a bike during a 'Women's March' organized by Feminist and human rights groups in solidarity with women marching in Washington and around the world for their rights and against the reactionary politics of the newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump, at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France
Getty Images
6/32 Bangkok
A young Thai girl holds a "women's rights are human rights" sign at Roadhouse BBQ restaurant where many of the Bangkok Womens March participants gathered in Bangkok, Thailand
Getty Images
7/32 Bangkok
A Thai woman takes a photo of a "hate is not great" sign at the women's solidarity gathering in Bangkok, Thailand
Getty Images
8/32 Bangkok
American expats and travellers gather with the international community in Bangkok at the Roadhouse BBQ restaurant to stand in solidarity in Bangkok, Thailand
Getty Images
9/32 London
Protetesters gather outside The US Embassy in Grosvenor Square ahead of the Women's March in London, England
Getty Images
10/32 Marseille
Women's March at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France
Getty Images
11/32 Marseille
Protestors hold placards reading 'My body my choice, my vote my voice' during a 'Women's March' organized by Feminist and human rights groups in solidarity with women marching in Washington and around the world for their rights and against the reactionary politics of the newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump, at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France
Getty Images
12/32 Rome
A person holds a sign during a rally against US newly sworn-in President Donald Trump in Rome
Getty Images
13/32 Kolkata
Activist Sarah Annay Williamson holds a placard and shouts slogan during the Women's March rally in Kolkata, India
AP
14/32 Kolkata
Activists participate in the Women's March rally in Kolkata, India
AP
15/32 London
A Women's March placards are rested on a bench outside the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square ahead of the Women's March in London, England
Getty Images
16/32 London
A women carries her placard ahead of the Women's March in London, England
Getty Images
17/32 Manila
Women protesters shout slogans while displaying placards during a rally in solidarity against the inauguration of President Donald Trump, in suburban Quezon city, northeast of Manila, Philippines
AP
18/32 Berlin
Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany
AP
19/32 Berlin
Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany
AP
20/32 Berlin
Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany
AP
21/32 Melbourne
Protesters take part in the Melbourne rally to protest against the Trump Inauguration in Melbourne, Australia
Getty Images
22/32 Macau
Protesters take part in the Women's March rally in Macau
Getty Images
23/32 Melbourne
Womens march on Melbourne protestors marching during a rally where rights groups marched in solidarity with Americans to speak out against misogyny, bigotry and hatred
Rex
24/32 Macau
Protesters hold placards as they take part at the Women's March rally in Macau
Getty Images
25/32 Macau
Protesters hold placards as they take part at the Women's March rally in Macau, Macau. The Women's March originated in Washington DC but soon spread to be a global march calling on all concerned citizens to stand up for equality, diversity and inclusion and for women's rights to be recognised around the world as human rights
Getty Images
26/32 Manila
A mother carries her son as they join a rally in solidarity against the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States in suburban Quezon city northeast of Manila, Philippines
AP
27/32 Sydney
An infant is held up at a demonstration against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia
Getty Images
28/32 Sydney
A woman attends a demonstration against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia
Getty Images
29/32 Sydney
A woman expresses her Anti-Trump views in Sydney, Australia
Getty Images
30/32 Sydeney
Protesters demonstrate against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia. The marches in Australia were organised to show solidarity with those marching on Washington DC and around the world in defense of women's rights and human rights
Getty
31/32 London
Protesters march from The US Embassy in Grosvenor Square towards Trafalgar Square during the Women's March in London, England
Getty
32/32 London
Protesters carrying banners take part in the Women's March on London, as they stand in Trafalgar Square, in central London
Reuters
Ms May invited Mr Trump on a state visit to Britain while she was visiting him in Washington DC. The Prime Minister pledged to renew the “special relationship” between Britain and the US and to work closely with the controversial American President.
There is currently no date confirmed for the trip, but senior police officers have suggested it could be “around June”.
Mr Trump assumed office in January, despite losing the popular vote by millions, and began his administration with a crackdown against foreigners that was declared illegal by US courts.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to debate the big issues
Want to discuss real-world problems, be involved in the most engaging discussions and hear from the journalists? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Independent Premium Comments can be posted by members of our membership scheme, Independent Premium.
It allows our most engaged readers to debate the big issues, share their own experiences, discuss
real-world solutions, and more. Our journalists will try to respond by joining the threads when
they can to create a true meeting of independent Premium. The most insightful comments on all subjects
will be published daily in dedicated articles. You can also choose to be emailed when someone replies
to your comment.
The existing Open Comments threads will continue to exist for those who do not subscribe to
Independent Premium. Due to the sheer scale of this comment community, we are not able to give each post
the same level of attention, but we have preserved this area in the interests of open debate. Please
continue to respect all commenters and create constructive debates.
Comments
Share your thoughts and debate the big issues
Please be respectful when making a comment and adhere to our Community Guidelines.
You can find our Community Guidelines in full here.
- -1) ? 'active' : ''">
Newest first
- -1) ? 'active' : ''">
Oldest first
- -1) ? 'active' : ''">
Most liked
{{/moreThanOne}}Please be respectful when making a comment and adhere to our Community Guidelines.
You can find our Community Guidelines in full here.
- -1) ? 'active' : ''">
Newest first
- -1) ? 'active' : ''">
Oldest first
- -1) ? 'active' : ''">
Most liked
{{/moreThanOne_p}}Follow comments
Vote
Report Comment
Subscribe to Independent Premium to debate the big issues
Want to discuss real-world problems, be involved in the most engaging discussions and hear from the journalists? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Already registered? Log inReport Comment
Delete Comment
About The Independent commenting
Independent Premium Comments can be posted by members of our membership scheme, Independent Premium. It allows our most engaged readers to debate the big issues, share their own experiences, discuss real-world solutions, and more. Our journalists will try to respond by joining the threads when they can to create a true meeting of independent Premium. The most insightful comments on all subjects will be published daily in dedicated articles. You can also choose to be emailed when someone replies to your comment.
The existing Open Comments threads will continue to exist for those who do not subscribe to Independent Premium. Due to the sheer scale of this comment community, we are not able to give each post the same level of attention, but we have preserved this area in the interests of open debate. Please continue to respect all commenters and create constructive debates.