Blimp helps Brits show repulsion for Trump

LONDON — A team of “baby sitters” in orange jackets pumped helium into a giant “Trump Baby” balloon on Friday and let it soar above Westminster Abbey, kicking off a day of large, peaceful, often-mocking protests against President Donald Trump’s visit.

Although there were rallies across Britain, the largest was in central London. The protesters came to march for a dozen different reasons and as many causes. In the slowly moving throng, there were “drag queens against Trump,” “families against Trump,” “trumpeteers against Trump” — you name it.

Police did not give an official estimate of the crowd size. Organizers said more than 100,000 were on the streets.

The demonstrators looked A blimp of U.S. President Donald Trump is readied for takeoff Friday in Parliament Square in London. The orange blimp depicts Trump as a pouting baby wearing a diaper and holding a smartphone.

like London: urbane and liberal, they brought their kids and dogs along. A lot of their signs were handmade and droll.

In interviews, some said they thought Trump a bully. Others described him as a misogynist or sexual aggressor. There were a lot of signs

with the word “grab” this or that.

The marchers said they are worried about climate change, the European Union, immigrants, Palestine, gay rights, civility and the rise of right-wing populism. The word “fascist” was used. A lot of them mentioned Trump’s policy of separating children from their parents when caught illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, an enforcement tool now put back in the box.

They were a diverse assemblage — not dominated by activists. There was a handmade vibe.

Although the U.S. Embassy in London warned Americans to “keep a low profile” during the demonstrations, for fear they could be attacked, the crowds were filled with American tourists and U.S. citizens living abroad.

Like Trump, the personal and political combined.

“I think that when you disrespect, you are going to be disrespected,” said Paul Phillips, 54, a tourist visiting from Buffalo, who watched the Trump Baby balloon — depicting the president as an angry baby wearing a diaper and clutching a cellphone — go aloft.

The main afternoon march started at Portland Place near the BBC in central London then snaked past Oxford Street and Piccadilly Circus before ending at Trafalgar Square, which was filled to capacity.

Humor is an essential part of any British protest, and it was on full display, from the baby blimp to the many placards, like the one that said “Special relationship? I want a divorce” or “Overcomb Brexit.”

Some of the placards were crude and R-rated, but protesters insisted the president was crude and R-rated and so it was OK. One group marched with a large golden middle finger; several women carried signs referencing Trump’s famous Access Hollywood audio recording.

In his controversial interview Thursday with The Sun newspaper, Trump grumbled about the protests. “I guess when they put