THE PROTESTS
Thousands take to the streets to demo against Trump
THOUSANDS took to the streets yesterday to give Donald Trump a very Scottish bum’s rush.
His plans for a homecoming fit for the world’s most powerful man were dashed by those who turned out in huge numbers from Glasgow to Dumfries and Orkney.
Banners ranged from childish insults to stark warnings on how he risks the future of the planet.
At George Square in Glasgow, more than 5000 turned out to hear prominent speakers denounce Trump.
One protester had crafted a banner that targeted the President’s famous vanity,
scrawling: “Don’t Comb Over Here”. Others looked to Trump’s policies, claiming: “Trump: A Leader in Jobby Creation.”
And another read: “Bolt ya rocket and make Scotland great again.”
The carnival atmosphere in Glasgow was fuelled by live music in between speakers, including Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard.
He told a crowd of all ages: “My message to Trump is to think again about racism, think again about your misogyny, think again about your Islamophobia, think again about climate change, think again about trade unions and workers’ rights.
“Rethink your whole political approach and then there might be some possibility of there being some meaningful dialogue.”
Among those who brought the family to protest was Alan Bryden, whose daughter Esme, 10, and son Hugo, seven, stated “Trump, No!”
Alan said: “The kids have enjoyed a bit of direct action and I’m pleased to see them engaged with something that affects their future.”
At Turnberry, activists, using a light projector, lit up the area around his plush resort and golf course with images slating Trump.
The landscape in front of his posh hotel was emblazoned with the slogan: “Donald Trump is the human rights nightmare”, “A nightmare on any street”. And last night, a Greenpeace paraglider flew over the venue with a banner bearing the message “Trump: Well below par”.
Earlier in London, tens of thousands of protesters swarmed the streets.
Organisers of the Together Against Trump demo claimed that more than 100,000 protesters had marched.
They were joined by the likes of actress Laura Carmichael and former Labour leader Ed Miliband.
Today, demos are due to take place at the Scottish Parliament, the Trump Golf Links in Aberdeenshire and at Turnberry.
WHEN you sup with the devil, you must use a very long spoon, as Theresa May has discovered.
Damned and praised in equal measure by Donald Trump, the Prime Minister did well to hang on to her dignity yesterday after suffering a verbal savaging of her biggest policy in the morning and then the lairy, lounge lizard praise of The Donald in the afternoon.
Trump, playing the tune hummed into his ear by that most arch of Brexiteers, media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, did his pompous, populist pal Boris Johnson a big favour in the morning.
In the afternoon, his ego soothed by special forces at Sandhurst and lunch at Chequers, he rowed back somewhat diplomatically on Brexit. He did May a favour, avoiding the Brexit beartrap of saying she should walk away from negotiations.
At least she stood up to him on immigration. His extremist analysis of Europe, its culture being weakened by immigration, was the dog whistle of racism and intolerance which goes against the basic values of Britain.
To her credit, May restated how immigration has enriched these islands.
In case Trump didn’t get the message, tens of thousands of ordinary people spelled it out on the streets of cities across the UK – that his odious attitude to race and immigration is not welcome here.