The Trump baby blimp could make a comeback – as protesters gear up in the UK

The UK’s Stop Trump Coalition has released a statement on the day of Donald Trump’s second inauguration – 20 January – pledging to “mobilise in our thousands and our millions”. It has been signed by more than a thousand grassroots campaigners, trade unionists, climate activists and others.

Unfortunately, the original Trump baby blimp – whose images were shared around the world – may not feature. It currently resides in the Museum of London

Stop Trump is back

The Coalition organised some of the biggest protests in British history in response to the president’s state visits in 2017 and 2018. Back in July 2018, more than 250,000 people turned out in London for a Stop Trump protest:

As BBC News reported at the time:

Rather than a red carpet, there was a sea of people, as two large marches took place – one led by Women’s March London and another by the Stop Trump Coalition.

The crowds had strong messages for the president – from their problems with his policies to hair styling tips.

They were determined to make their voices heard, or at least create a lot of noise to make their point – that they did not want President Trump in the country.

Now, the Stop Trump coalition is re-grouping – and protests are expected in London and across the world today as Trump is sworn in.

Zoe Gardner, a spokesperson for the Stop Trump Coalition, said:

In the coming weeks, we are likely to witness appalling attacks on migrants and minorities in America – just as we saw with the racist ‘Muslim ban’ in the opening days of the first Trump administration in 2017.

It is essential that there is a broad, democratic coalition which can bring together the opposition to Trumpism – and to the new far right here in the UK.

That means mobilising in big numbers, but it also means working to network and strengthen movements on climate, anti-racism, migrants’ rights, feminism, LGBT rights and other touchstone issues, alongside the trade union movement and the left.

We will look to respond to the Trump administration’s first policies and to bring together the resistance to the politics of bigotry and division in the US and around the world.

Symptoms of the failure of our political and economic system

The statement, which has been signed by more than a thousand people, reads:

“The second inauguration is a dark moment. The far right is on the march, with a common agenda of right-wing nationalism, racism, sexism, LGBT-phobia, climate denialism, union-busting, authoritarianism, and elite impunity. They represent the interests of a wealthy elite who use bigotry and dishonesty to divide us against each other. No matter Trump’s claims, illegal occupations and crimes against humanity continue – whether perpetrated by Israel in Palestine or by Russia in Ukraine.

“We are not shocked by this situation. Trump and Musk – and Farage and Badenoch – are symptoms of the failure of our political and economic system. Free market economics and austerity laid the ground. By failing to challenge the far right on immigration and other key issues, and instead mirroring their rhetoric and narratives, Starmer – like Macron, Harris and Scholz – is handing victory to the far right.

“During Trump’s first presidency, the Stop Trump Coalition helped organise some of the biggest demonstrations in British history against his state visits. There are millions of people in the UK who want to fight back against the far right, stop runaway climate change, and stand for just peace across the world. There will be mass opposition to political cooperation with the Trump administration, and to any trade deal that threatens our NHS or food standards.

“Fighting back means mobilising in our thousands and in our millions – but it must also mean a more fundamental effort to unite and strengthen movements dedicated to social and environmental justice, working class organisation, and universal human and civil rights. We pledge ourselves to that work, and to building a resistance to Trump and the politics he represents.”

Featured image via the Canary