Hundreds of thousands of activists are preparing to paralyse London with mass demonstrations during Donald Trump’s state visit next week.
More than 20,000 police officers will be deployed at 20 separate events planned across the country in a security operation expected to cost about £18million.
The main protest will be held in central London on Tuesday with organisers claiming a quarter of a million will march from Trafalgar Square to Parliament Square. Scotland Yard has given them permission to protest just yards from Downing Street while the US President has lunch there with Prime Minister Theresa May.
Pictured: Police patrol near the US ambassador's residence in Regent's Park, London, as barriers are erected ahead of Trump's visit
Pictured: Workers line the mall today with Union Flags as the capital makes preparations for the arrival of US President Donald Trump in London
Two groups – Stand Up To Trump and Stop Trump – are co-ordinating protest groups for what they are calling a ‘carnival of resistance’. They have laid on coaches to bring thousands of supporters to the capital from cities and towns across the UK.
A spokesman for Stand Up To Trump said: ‘We will be bringing central London to a standstill. By the time he leaves he will know, and the world will know, that people here reject him and his toxic politics.’
Stop Trump added: ‘We will make it clear to the British Government it’s not OK to normalise Trump’s agenda and the fear it has sparked.’
Mr Trump and his wife Melania are being given the full red carpet treatment, with the Queen hosting no fewer than four events in tribute to them. Royal gun salutes will fire in Trump’s honour at the Tower of London and in Green Park, while Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince Harry and the Duke of York will be heavily involved too.
Hundreds of thousands of activists are preparing to paralyse London with mass demonstrations during Donald Trump’s state visit next week
The protesters, who are being led by a ragbag army of hard-Left activists and Corbynistas, are planning to fly an offensive 20ft blimp depicting the President as an angry baby. It was previously flown during Mr Trump’s visit last year after London’s Labour mayor Sadiq Khan licensed its use.
Last night the mayor’s office once again granted permission for it to be flown over the capital, although protesters still need final approval from the Metropolitan Police before it is launched.
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