CAMPAIGNERS in Scotland joined thousands around the world to protest at the inauguration of Donald Trump as US President yesterday.
Activists in Edinburgh hung seven banners carrying slogans such as Women Rise Up, Migrants Welcome Here and Bridges Not Walls from the west side of the capital’s North Bridge at 9am.
The action, one of more than 100 planned in villages, towns and cities across the UK, is part of the Bridges not Walls project, a grassroots partnership formed in the wake of Donald Trump’s election and working across a range of issues, Alys Mumford, Edinburgh Bridges Not Walls spokeswoman, said: “We’re taking action to show our support for groups under attack, here in Scotland and the UK, across Europe and in the USA, and to reject the rise of a dangerous and divisive far-right politics.
“The new normal that the far right is seeking will roll back decades of progress on civil rights, gender equality and the environment.
“It is up to all of us to take responsibility for actively rejecting this. Bridges Not Walls is about making a public commitment to fighting a politics of hate and bigotry at all levels, including the everyday.”
Shannon Stephens of Friends of the Earth Scotland, which also supported the demonstration, added: “We’re horrified by Trump’s denial of climate change and his appointment of fossil-fuel industry executives and lobbyists to key government positions, but we stand by our colleagues and friends in the USA who will be fighting him every step of the way.
“The next four years will be a crucial time in the fight against hate, greed and environmental destruction.”
Liz Murray of the international development charity Global Justice Now said: “The so-called migrant crisis is not a crisis caused by migrants.
“It’s a crisis caused by war, poverty and inequality. It’s time to stop demonising migrants, to stop building walls, and to start tackling the real problems that force people to move.”
In Glasgow, police estimated that around 400 people turned up for a protest on in Buchanan Street, organised by Stand Up To Racism.
Many of those held signs questioning Trump’s attitude to women and to minorities.
“The pussy-grabber won,” one female student who asked not to be named told The National.
“He’s a misogynist and a racist and a bigot, and despite that people voted for him. People voted for pussy-grabbing. That’s why we’re here, to say no, you can’t do that.”
Martin Llewellyn was there with his young son. Trump’s election was, he said, “quite the worst thing since I can remember, and I’m almost 40 years old. It’s a complete disaster and everyone seems to be standing by and letting it happen.”
His sign read “Trump is a worm”.
“I slightly regret comparing him to a worm,” Llewellyn said. “Worms are quite useful creatures.”
Matthieu Munsch said it was about solidarity: “I don’t think the protesting is going to achieve anything, but it’s about letting the people who come here know that there’s still something to fight for.“ One of the biggest protests against Trump happens today, with millions turning out for a global Women’s March.
It had started off as a Facebook event created by Teresa Shook, a grandmother in Hawaii, who invited 40 friends. Suddenly the idea took off. Now there are around 400 marches taking place in the US, with half a million protesters expected in Washington DC.
It is, organisers say, a bid to “send a bold message” to the new government on their first day in office. That message is: “Women’s rights are human rights. We stand together, recognizing that defending the most marginalized among us is defending all of us.”
Sister marches are happening in 60 other countries, including events in Glasgow, Edinburgh and London.
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