Thousands of protesters – including Lily Allen and Gary Lineker – gather at Downing Street and in cities across Britain in protest over Donald Trump’s ‘Muslim ban’ and UK visit
TENS of thousands of people including celebrities such as Gary Lineker and Lily Allen gathered in cities across the UK to protest against Trump’s "Muslim ban".
Protest events were held in London, Newcastle, Leeds and Edinburgh after the ban stopping visitors from seven Muslim countries from entering the US sparked fury and outrage across the world.
Yesterday evening, metres away from the door of Number 10, chants of "shame on May" echoed throughout the crowd after Downing Street rejected calls to stop the President's planned state visit to the UK - despite an official petition reaching more than 1,000,000 in just 24 hours.
A number of demonstrators have marched the streets with placards with a number of them stating that refugees are welcome and "say no to Trump".
Match of the Day presenter, Gary Lineker, was pictured in the capital with his sons Harry and George.
Lineker posted a picture on Instagram last night of the crowds in London with the caption: "Well played London"
Singer Lily Allen has also posted a picture of herself on Twitter of herself at the march in London.
She captioned the image: "Can't even see a stage NGL (Not Going to Lie)"
Allen also posted a picture of the crowds using hashtag #LondonStandsWithMuslims
Sheezus singer Allen led hundreds protesting outside the US embassy in London on the day of Trump's inauguration.
A picture of Bianca Jagger holding a microphone at the protest in London was also posted on Twitter.
Human rights activist Jagger - ex-wife of Rolling Stones frontman Mick - tweeted yesterday: "We must send a clear message to #TheresaMay: our democratic values are not for sale #ResistTrump".
Anti Trump protesters in London caused chaos for commuters trying to get home as they filled Westminster underground station on their way to the demonstration last night.
Thousands of people can be seen trying to make their way towards the station, with some carrying placards and posters.
Whitehall was turned into a sea of placards and traffic came to a standstill as the sprawling crowd spilled into the road.
Chants including "Donald Trump has got to go" rippled up the street throughout the evening.
Speakers from across the political spectrum addressed those gathered in London alongside campaigners and performers.
Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott told the crowd she had come on behalf of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
She said: "Donald Trump has been president for only a few days and look at what he is doing.
"We need to resist the Islamophobia and scapegoating of Muslims, we have got to resist it whether it is in the United States or here in the UK."
In Newcastle, crowds protested in the streets.
Footage of the demonstration showed people carrying sings saying "Dump Trump" and "Special Relationship: Just Say No".
The action will add to the growing pressure on Theresa May to cancel the new President's state visit.
Kate Allen, director of Amnesty UK, backed the protests, blasting the US ban as "appalling".
She said: "Donald Trump's administration is wilfully demonising as 'security concerns', children, women and men fleeing from torturers and mass murderers.
"These demonstrations show the depth of anger and frustration felt by ordinary people in the UK.
"Amnesty is calling on everyone to search out their nearest demonstration and send a loud message to our politicians that such a ban cannot be tolerated."
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There were similar scenes up and down the country, with huge crowds in the shadow of landmarks such as Manchester Town Hall.
Thousands also packed the streets in Scotland, where the largest protests were in Glasgow and Edinburgh, with smaller events in Aberdeen and Dundee.
Demonstrations continued in George Square, Glasgow, after a three-hour rally in Buchanan Street, while in Edinburgh, large crowds marched from the North Bridge to the US consulate in Regent Terrace.
In Nottingham, hundreds of people congregated at Speakers Corner to protest.
People held banners with a range of messages including "I'm Syrian Not A Terrorist" and "Trump: Make America Hate Again".
Yesterday demonstrations erupted across the US at airports, with protesters and police clashing as cops in Seattle hit them with pepper spray.
It comes just days after thousands joined a Women's March to promote women's and human rights in the wake of Trump's inauguration just 10 days ago.
Yesterday Boris Johnson confirmed the White House had said no Brits with dual citizenship would be affected by the ban, which is set to be in place for three months.
Refugees will also be banned from entering the country for the next 120 days, and those fleeing Syria are banned indefinitely.
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