Trump’s state visit to the UK has been a nostalgic reminder of similar upheaval also prompted by his visit last year. Will he ever learn? 3 days may seem harmless but not according to political activists across the UK from ‘Muslimahs Resist Trump’ to ‘Handmaids Against Trump’, all joining through their common motive: Dump Trump.
The number of female groups in particular challenging Trump carries ominous reminders of the Suffragettes plight decades back. Are we being teleported back several eras? What progress has society truly made?
Despite the obvious animosities that these protests have proven, it also highlights how, like with many other humanitarian and global issues, they make us all unite. When else would Londoners voluntarily pack themselves against each other like sardines? When else would we emulate the horrible conditions of TFL during rush hour? Just give us a cause that we’re passionate about and we’ll drop all of our pride. We’ll agree to prize our eyes off of the ground and we’ll willingly forget our ‘no eye contact policy’. We’ll even dare to revolt…
His visit also prompted the return of his younger look-alike, the Trump baby blimp, the closest many angry protesters will allow themselves to get to Trump.
However, whilst protesters with the backing of Corbyn and Khan admonish the hospitality offered to Trump, the Queen and Theresa May have welcomed him with open arms. If you haven’t also been sick of the term ‘special relationship’ I think you’ve been living under a rock.
Although, some have taken huge offense to oppositions against Trump, labelling UK liberals as being ‘every bit as nasty, angry and violent as US liberals’. Are we essentially fighting misconduct with more misconduct? And if so, how productive can this really be?
I guess Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s wedding just wasn’t enough to bind us to our cousins across the pond….
Attitudes towards Trump’s visit mirror how divided we are as a country- even in terms of Brexit… Will we ever agree on anything?
However, many ask why we should even care. A recent poll found that over half of the UK public oppose his visit whilst only 24% support it. Leaving me to question: what about everyone else? Are they the indifferent part of society who we should all aspire to be like?
With US presidency comes power. Many view Trump’s power as being destructive- from his xenophobic ban of Muslim-majority countries to his separation of immigrants from their families. Smiling and waving with Theresa May would be an approval of his toxic ideologies.
Trump’s visit is far from a cheeky getaway, but regardless, he’s adamant not to let anything taint his trip. He’s labelled the angry protesters as keen fans cheering for him. Perhaps this is his coping mechanism… I mean if it helps him sleep better at night then who am I to hinder this?
As much as Trump has divided the world, our protestations against him have inevitably brought us closer together. The Stop Trump organisation even had a list of coaches that can be taken from various cities to attend national demonstrations. The whole of the UK is being brought together.
The main protest group ‘Together Against Trump’ proves how regardless of the tensions, Trump’s aims have ironically backfired. He’s brought us ‘together’ and united us in a way that he wouldn’t have ever anticipated.
…yet here he is,
waltzing in
all guns blazing
setting water alight
setting water on fire,
his words wrapped in a shroud
shrouded, clouded view of anyone different.
Mexicans? We’ll build a wall!
Muslims? We’ll send them back!
Anyone who isn’t white must be attacked.
…Tell me, what happened to the Land of the Free?
What happened to the American Dream?
Where did we go wrong and appoint a president who hates people like me?
Yet we will stand proud,
marching in solidarity against the fear that drives people insane
we will stand proud,
for hope
for peace
for love trumps hate.
-excerpts from a poem titled fin de president blues
Sagal Gabay via Instagram
Sagal Gabay 