Trump trip to avoid London protesters

LONDON — U.S. President Donald Trump will avoid London as much as possible as he’s whisked off on a tour of prime British real estate to keep him away from protesters during his U.K. visit.

On his arrival Thursday, the president will be taken by helicopter to Blenheim Palace, the 300-year-old mansion where World War II leader Winston Churchill was born. On Friday he will meet Prime Minister Theresa May at her country estate and later take tea with Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle, a family home to the royals for 1,000 years.

Meanwhile tens of thousands of Britons, joined by activists from across Europe, are planning a “Carnival of resistance,” to protest the president’s perceived racism and sexism and his treatment of migrants. Anti-Trump activist Leo Murray raised funds to pay for “Trump Baby,” a 6 meter-high helium-filled version of the president that has unusually small hands and feet and is sporting a diaper, which he intends to fly over London.

“My slogan is ‘make racists afraid again.’ Trump’s made them confident; I want to make them afraid,” said Mark Thomas, 49, who will join demonstrators in the capital. “The protest is not only to say that he’s not welcome here, but those of us who believe in an alternative need to stand up for equality and justice.”

Relations between Trump and May have been fraught. Despite being the first world leader to visit him at the White House, the two have never enjoyed a close rapport.