Thousands expected at demonstration to condemn rightward lurch in US
CAMPAIGNERS FOR women, migrants, refugees, and the LGBT community will arrive in Edinburgh this weekend (Saturday 11 February) for a national demonstration to oppose the policies of new US president Donald Trump.
An estimated 7,000 people turned out in Edinburgh last month in the largest protest in Scotland on a day of action across the UK.
The city was also a hotspot of student and international citizens speaking out against Trump’s Muslim ban, with over 30,000 residents of the city joining over 1.8m people across the UK opposing a Trump state visit.
#ScotlandAgainstTrump rallies unite campaigners against president’s bigoted attacks
A spokesperson for Scotland Against Trump told CommonSpace: “Donald Trump has set a course for nothing short than a turn to fascism, and Theresa May is backing it to the hilt. In the last few weeks Trump has brought forward a raft of executive orders that will embolden every white nationalist, and now Iran is in the cross-hairs.
“The wall is being built, and the process for banning Muslims entering the US is underway. This is a time to fight back.
Line up so far for Scotland Against Trump national demonstration. Sat, 12noon, the Meadows: march past US Consulate. pic.twitter.com/vmqqRKUxod
— Jonathon Shafi (@Jonathon_Shafi) February 7, 2017
“Trump is the apex of an insurgency of the international far-right. Theresa May is setting herself up as the key Trump ally. She has nothing but praise for his regime and is even using the NHS as a bargaining chip for a Trump trade deal.
“She says that together with Trump the U.S. and UK will ‘lead the world.’ But there has been a huge response. The protests have been across the UK have been magnificent, and now there is real pressure on Theresa May to stop Trump’s state visit. That would be a huge victory – and by keeping up the pressure we can do it.”
Wow. Over 5,000 people out in Edinburgh. The people, united. #ScotlandAgainstTrump pic.twitter.com/6VjVMCXRcx
— Michael Gray (@GrayInGlasgow) January 30, 2017
The Edinburgh protest will assemble at the Meadows at 12 noon on Saturday 11 February before marching past the UK Consulate and holding a rally at the Scottish Parliament.
Speakers will include Pinar Aksu (ex-Dungavel detainee & activist), Deborah Kayembe (Human rights lawyer), Aamer Anwar (lawyer & anti-racism campaigner), Suke Sangha (STUC Black Workers Committee) and Shuwanna Aaron (NUS Black Students Officer).
Also speaking will be Anne Henderson (Abortion rights campaigner), Assad Khan (Edinburgh Uni Islamic Society), Mary Church (Friends of the Earth Scotland), Samina Ansari (Muslim Women Resource Centre), and Lewis Dougan (LGBT campaigner).
Picture courtesy of ResistFromDay1
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