Protests pepper Trump's presence
Supporters also turn out for the president in London.
LONDON — Tens of thousands of demonstrators turned out in London and a “Trump Baby” balloon was launched to fly above Parliament Square on Friday as activists mounted protests at every stage of President Donald Trump’s working visit to Britain at the invitation of Prime Minister Theresa May.
The protests came a day after the president’s trip was jolted by The Sun’s publication of an interview in which Trump gave a harsh assessment of May’s Brexit strategy and praised Boris Johnson, her Conservative Party rival, as a potentially great prime minister. But later, he tried to repair the relationship with May, call- ing her “tough.”
The most anticipated installment of Britain’s “Stop Trump” protests — a giant orange balloon of Trump depicted as a pouting baby in a diaper and holding a smartphone — took flight from Parliament Square in London earlier in the day.
As if they were waiting for a rocket launch, dozens of people — including activists, tourists, children and bystanders taking time out from their commutes — gath- ered around the 19-foot bal- loon and counted down from 10 before it was released into the air.
“This is a victory,” said Leo Murray, an activist and the creator of the balloon. “People love it, he hates it, and it’s driven him out of London.”
“The only way to get through to him is to get down to his level and talk in a language he understands — one of personal insults,” Murray has said.
“He mocks and insults anyone who doesn’t support him,” said Adam Cottrell, one of the activists behind the balloon protest, “so now he can see what it feels like.
“It’s going to swamp his Twitter feed,” Cottrell said. “There’s no way he doesn’t see this.”
Throngs of demonstrators began gathering for the national rally in sites like Trafalgar Square at 2 p.m. to protest Trump’s policies. Oxford Street, famous for its shops, transformed into a carnival of slogans against Trump.
“Dump Trump,” “Child Snatcher” and “Trump Special Relationship: Say No,” some of the placards read. “Hey, ho, Donald Trump has got to go” thousands of people chanted to the beat of carnival drums.
“This is epic,” said Steven Langley, holding up a banner that read, “Liar, liar, pants on fire.”