Around 10,000 protesters rallied in London on Wednesday, voicing their opposition to Donald Trump during his state visit to the UK. Organized by the Stop Trump Coalition, demonstrators converged on Parliament Square as Labour leader Keir Starmer extended a ceremonial welcome to the US president.
The demonstration attracted a diverse array of groups, including women’s rights advocates, climate activists, and organizations supporting Palestinian solidarity. United under a common message, protesters declared that Trump is “not welcome” in Britain.
As the march commenced at Portland Place, protester Colin expressed concerns over Trump’s influence on societal integration. He noted, “Trump is against an integrated, diverse society. In the last 15 years, it feels like we’ve had some progress around women and LGBT+ rights. I would hate for that to dissipate, and that’s exactly what Trump wants.”
At the forefront of the protest, Kerry Abel, chair of Abortion Rights UK, highlighted the dangers posed to women by Trump’s policies. She stated, “Trump has boasted about overturning Roe v. Wade. Since its overturning in 2022, at least ten women have died because they couldn’t have an abortion. Trump gives legitimacy to far-right forces. And rolling out the red carpet simply empowers those attacking abortion rights.”
Concerns over the rising tide of fascism and far-right extremism also resonated deeply among attendees. The protest followed a significant demonstration led by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, which mobilized approximately 100,000 supporters in London just days earlier.
One protester from Kent expressed her anxiety about the current political climate, stating, “I’m very worried about fascism, particularly what’s being done in the US with ICE.” She voiced further concerns about the rise of politicians like Nigel Farage, asserting, “Farage has started to incite violence against people of colour.”
As the march progressed, chants of “Two four six eight, who should we incarcerate?” filled the air, reflecting the urgency of the protesters’ message. Another participant, Ella from Edinburgh, emphasized her motivations for joining the rally, saying, “I’m just in disbelief and horror and devastation that Trump is facilitating a genocide to the extent he is. It’s embarrassing that Starmer has invited him here.”
While some demonstrators supported NATO arms for Ukraine, others criticized Western imperialism. Protester John remarked, “Ultimately, it comes down to the fact that Britain, the US, and all other European countries are part of NATO. They are all collaborating and complicit in genocide.”
As the crowd gathered outside Parliament, Mo articulated the broader implications of Trump’s presidency, stating, “It’s about racism—it’s a very rich man pushing violent racism so that he and his very rich friends can get even richer. Racism is on the rise—hating asylum seekers is supposed to be ‘normal’ politics now.”
In a call for greater awareness and action, Sophia Beach from Women Against The Far Right noted, “The threat to women and girls comes not from the men facing deportations but the men calling for them.” She stressed the importance of challenging prevalent myths that associate violence against women with asylum seekers.
The protest reflects a significant moment for activists in the UK, who remain determined to confront what they see as an escalating threat from far-right ideologies and policies both at home and abroad. As the event concluded, the coalition emphasized the need for continued solidarity and activism against perceived injustices linked to Trump’s administration.
