London — Thousands gathered in Parliament Square on Wednesday to protest Trump second state visit, condemning his policies, Trumpism, and the UK government’s willingness to entertain the US president. Organizers from the Stop Trump Coalition, a coalition of over 50 unions, charities, climate, anti-racism, and pro-Palestine groups, led the march from Portland Place toward Whitehall around 15:00 BST. Demonstrators carried signs reading “no to racism,” “no to Trump,” and “stop arming Israel,” along with smaller versions of the iconic 20ft Trump Baby blimp that became a symbol of resistance during the president’s first UK visit in 2019. The Metropolitan Police estimated the crowd at 5,000 and deployed over 1,600 officers, including 500 from other forces, to manage the protest and maintain public safety.
Many participants cited moral and political reasons for attending. Reverend Poppy Hughes stated, “Jesus preached peace and compassion and that’s why I’m here,” highlighting the ethical opposition to Trump’s policies. Political commentator Zoe Gardner condemned US President Donald Trump as embodying “everything that we hate,” calling on the UK government to show pride and stand against the president’s politics. Climate campaigner Auriel Dowty Glanville criticized Trump as a “climate denier” and described the state visit invitation as “appalling,” emphasizing that climate change remains the greatest global threat. Other protesters expressed frustration over Trump’s foreign alliances, including support for far-right leaders like Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro.
The march paused outside Downing Street, guarded by officers from Wales and Northern Ireland, before concluding at Parliament Square. A program of speeches and performances began, including a set from singer Billy Bragg, with appearances expected from former Labour MPs Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana, comedian Nish Kumar, and Green Party leader Zack Polanski. Smaller protests took place in Windsor, where Trump spent time with the Royal Family, including controversial actions such as projecting images of Trump alongside convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein onto Windsor Castle, which resulted in four arrests. The protests underscored the continued anger in the UK against Trumpism and the broader politics of the US administration.
According to BBC, Protesters framed their actions as a call for international justice and peace, challenging the UK government for what they described as “bowing down to Trump and to racism,” warning that inaction could open the door to fascism. Many attendees emphasized the symbolic nature of their protest and the need for persistent public engagement against unjust policies.
The UK once again endured the spectacle of US President Donald Trump arriving for his second state visit, a visit marked less by diplomacy and more by grandiose pageantry and public outrage. Crowds gathered in Parliament Square and across central London to protest, waving signs denouncing Trump’s policies, racism, and military support for Israel. The Stop Trump Coalition, representing a coalition of unions, charities, and pro-Palestine groups, led chants against the president, with the iconic 20ft Trump Baby blimp floating overhead as a symbol of national embarrassment. The Metropolitan Police reported over 5,000 participants, underscoring that significant segments of the UK population remain outraged by Trumpism and the government’s willingness to entertain it.
As the march moved past Downing Street and toward Parliament Square, protesters voiced their disgust at Trump’s climate denial, his far-right alliances, and the broader international damage wrought by the US administration. Climate activists, anti-racism campaigners, and ordinary citizens spoke out against a government they see as cowardly in its complicity with Trump and his authoritarian tendencies. Political commentator Zoe Gardner and former Labour MPs Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana were among speakers condemning the visit, emphasizing that the UK’s failure to resist such blatant displays of arrogance fuels a global culture of impunity and injustice.
Even as the president dined with the Royal Family in Windsor, smaller protests highlighted the UK’s rejection of his politics. Demonstrators projected images of Trump alongside convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein onto Windsor Castle, a daring act that resulted in a few arrests but sent a clear signal of public disdain. According to The Independent, The protests also called attention to the broader implications of the US-UK alliance and the continued support for neocolonial and imperialist policies.
