What a way to greet the President of America!
Embassy forced to tell US citizens to keep low profile Businesses warned to expect protester chaos
AMERICANS in Britain have been warned to ‘keep a low profile’ amid fears of violent demonstrations during Donald Trump’s visit.
in an extraordinary alert, the Us embassy urged its citizens to be on their guard around ‘large gatherings that may become violent’ while the President is in the UK.
The unprecedented warning was issued as businesses were told to prepare for protests. They are expected to be the biggest since the iraq War, with hundreds of thousands of people.
The embassy alert said: ‘The majority of demonstrations will be in central London on July 13, with other events planned for July 12 and 14. several events are expected to attract large crowds.’
American citizens were advised: ‘ Be aware of your surroundings; exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings that may become violent; keep a low profile; and monitor local media for updates.’
Up to 10,000 officers are being drafted to protect mr Trump as he travels between London, the Home counties and scotland. The President is being mostly kept away from central London.
There are fears that a ‘toxic’ mix of fierce anti-Trump sentiment and divisions over Brexit could spark violence.
The protests are being led by a ragbag army of hard-Left activists, corbynistas and outspoken celebrities. They have pledged to ‘make history’ with a ‘carnival of resistance’, with coaches bringing thousands of supporters to the capital.
One group, stand Up To Trump, said ‘ hundreds of thousands’ were expected to march in London.
A spokesman said they will focus on his alleged ‘racism, islamophobia, sexism, war-mongering and climate change denial’.
in a bid to avoid embarrassment, mr Trump will spend only a few hours in London at the fortified Us ambassador’s mansion in regent’s Park.
The President flies into Britain tomorrow. On his first night he will have dinner at Blenheim Palace, Winston churchill’s birthplace in the Oxfordshire countryside.
On Friday he will hold talks with Theresa may at chequers, the Prime minister’s country retreat.
His wife melania is expected to enjoy a sightseeing tour with mrs may’s husband Philip.
instead of a state Banquet at Buckingham Palace, mr Trump will later meet the Queen at Windsor castle. He will then visit his Turnberry golf course, on the south west coast of scotland, before heading home on saturday.
But mr Trump will have to take a detour if one politician succeeds in his campaign to ban the President from flying in manchester’s airspace. manchester councillor Pat Karney said: ‘We are asking manchester Airport to not allow the Presidential helicopter to fly over manchester.
‘We are disgusted the taxpayer is paying for the President to visit his own private golf course.’
The Treasury will fund policing costs of up to £5million for mr Trump’s time north of the border. The total cost is expected to be more than double that.
in a notice shared with Westminster firms, the metropolitan Police warned that hundreds of thousands of activists were expected to join protests. it urged businesses to prepare for ‘damage’ and ‘trespassing’.
managers were also told to ensure no debris, scaffolding or equipment is left outside which could be commandeered by troublemakers.
The biggest protest in British history saw up to two million take to the streets in February 2002 over the impending iraq War.
scotland Yard said: ‘We are preparing for a multi-faceted policing and security operation, involving the protection and movement of the President. The requirements of this complex operation need to be balanced with the right of individuals to freedom of speech.’
The Government is desperate to lay on a warm welcome after a series of false starts that saw Whitehall postpone plans for a full state visit.
ministers looked on with envy at the ‘love-in’ between mr Trump and emmanuel macron a year ago. The President’s Bastille Day Paris trip enabled the French leader to position himself as America’s foremost Western ally.