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“Love Trumps Hate” at Scottish protests in Edinburgh

Jonathon Read

Published: 1:30 PM July 14, 2018 Updated: 6:30 PM September 17, 2020

Trump protesters out in Scotland as Donald Trump makes a 'private visit' to play golf. Photograph: PA/Lesley Martin. - Credit: PA

Thousands of anti-Trump campaigners descended on the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh for a national demonstration against the US president's visit.

Many carried placards with messages including 'Dump Trump', 'Love Trumps Hate', while others carried signs with messages for the American leader, including 'Tweet off Twitter twit' and 'Bolt ya rocket'.

Some protesters dressed up for the occasion, with one couple adorning Mexican-themed costumes and carrying a donkey pinata named 'Donald', and others dressed as caricature versions of Trump himself.

The event saw the crowds set off on a march towards the city's meadows area for a Carnival of Resistance event, where the 20ft inflatable depicting the US president as a nappy-clad baby holding a mobile phone was allowed to be flown.

Before leaving parliament, those attending listened to speeches from politicians including Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardine, Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard, SNP MP Tommy Sheppard and Greens MSP Alison Johnstone.

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Leonard told the crowds: 'We are here today standing shoulder to shoulder, all parties and none, all faiths and none, standing together in this capital to send a message out to the world that Scotland stands united against Trump.'

He added: 'Donald Trump is not welcome here. The horrific scenes at the Mexican border are just the latest example of his repudiation of decent human values. Caging children like animals is barbaric and we simply cannot roll out the red carpet for a US President who treats people that way.