RALLYING CALL
Trump UK visit protest today – route, time and why are people protesting?
DONALD Trump’s state visit to Britain has sparked a number of protests up and down the country.
The main one was planned for today, in the middle of the US President’s three-day visit.
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What route are the Together Against Trump protesters using?
Protesters gathered in Trafalgar Square, and organisers said the exact route would depend on the president’s activities.
Organisers gained permission to fly the Trump blimp again.
The 20ft tall inflatable of a baby Trump in a nappy hit the headlines when it took to the skies over the capital last year during Trump’s last visit.
This year organisers flew the blimp above Parliament Square for two hours when the president met outgoing Prime Minister Theresa May in Downing Street.
Today Trump's motorcade drove right past the blimp outside Parliament.
A 16ft talking robot version of Trump tweeting while sitting on a toilet was unveiled in Trafalgar Square this morning.
The road was sealed off to stop demonstrators getting too close to Mr Trump.
This morning heated arguments broke out in Parliament Square between supporters of the President and leftie activists protesting against.
A small group of men and women, several wearing "Make America Great Again" hats, shouted "we love Trump" as they were confronted by another group carrying EU flags.
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What time is the Trump protest?
Marchers gathered in Trafalgar Square from 11am today.
The organisers, a campaign group called Stop Trump, dubbed it a “Carnival of Resistance”.
The nearest tube station to Trafalgar Square is Charing Cross while Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus are just a few minutes away.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who turned down the president’s banquet with the Queen at Buckingham Palace, will speak at the huge demonstration.
In a Twitter message, Corbyn wrote: "Tomorrow’s protest against Donald Trump’s state visit is an opportunity to stand in solidarity with those he’s attacked in America, around the world and in our own country – including, just this morning, @SadiqKhan.”
Protests are also taking place in cities around the country, including Manchester, Belfast and Birmingham.
Today, road closures have been put in place as part of a massive security operation preventing demonstrators from protesting directly outside Downing Street.
The main protest, titled Together Against Trump, described today's activism as a "carnival of resistance" beginning at 11am in Trafalgar Square to declare a "Trump-free zone".
Last night the protests erupted into violence after pro- and anti-Trump demonstrators fought over a cap.
Two young men wrestled over the MAGA hat as other demonstrators squared up outside the palace gates.
As the two gripped the head wear in front of a bank of TV cameras and photojournalists, the Trump supporter said: "You just hit me."
His backpack-wearing assailant said: "I didn't. What are you talking about?"
The pro-Trump demonstrator said: "It's my hat. You just destroyed my property."
The assailant then taunted him, saying: "Are you going to make America great again now?"
But the Trump fan hit back, saying: "I think America has done a great job with Donald Trump actually."
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Why are people protesting?
Last year organisers say 250,000 marched in London over a visit by Trump while a further 150,000 joined in around the country.
They wanted to show that the US leader was not welcome.
They are in general opposition to Donald Trump’s views and policies.
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Stop Trump said: “We will make it clear to the British government that it’s not OK to normalise Trump’s agenda and fear it has sparked.”
Protesters say they “eject Trump’s divisive politics and policies of bigotry, hate and greed.”
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Around 10,000 police officers have been deployed during the three-day state visit as part of a £25million security operation.
The Metropolitan police said: “Protesters will not be marching past Downing Street at any point.
“This is a multi-faceted security operation, and whilst the Met has a responsibility to ensure the right to peaceful protest, this needs to be balanced with the complex requirements of this policing plan.”
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