MEDIA WATCH: Trump visit facing mass UK protests
Downing Street confirmed on Thursday that US president Donald Trump will arrive in London on July13 for his long-heralded visit to Britain, during which he will hold “bilateral talks” with Prime Minister Theresa May. Within hours of the announcement, more than 100,000 Facebook users signaled their interest in “Protest Trump’s visit”, a demonstration organized by journalist Owen Jones. A further 38,000 confirmed that they would join the anti-Trump rally, reports The Week.
Even London Mayor Sadiq Khan got in on the action, saying in a tweet that Trump “will see that Londoners hold their liberal values of freedom of speech very dear”.
Kahn, London’s first Muslim mayor Tweeted:
@SadiqKhan
If he comes to London, President Trump will experience an open and diverse city that has always chosen unity over division and hope over fear. He will also no doubt see that Londoners hold their liberal values of freedom of speech very dear.
There is speculation that, as a result of possible crowd trouble, Trump will meet the Queen or other royals at Windsor Castle, and will join the PM at her Chequers countryside retreat, rather than in central London, The Independent reports.
The US ambassador to the UK, Woody Johnson, said the “thick-skinned” president would not be deterred by demonstrations. “He will definitely be coming to London,” he said.
Trump was originally due to visit the UK in February for the opening of the new US embassy in London but pulled out in January amid warnings of massive street protests.