#ScotlandAgainstTrump rallies unite campaigners against president’s bigoted attacks 

31/01/2017
michael

The best photos and interviews from #ScotlandAgainstTrump rallies

OVER 10,000 PEOPLE across Scotland joined emergency demonstrations last night (Monday 30 January) in solidarity with the American civil rights movement and in opposition to the divisive policies of US President Donald Trump. 

Marches and rallies, the largest congregating in Scotland’s cities, stood in support of human rights for those under threat from the rise of right-wing populism in America and Europe. 

Home made signs and chants in support of women, migrants, refugees, the LGBT community, & all who face bigotry took over city centres in one of the largest ground swells of public protest in recent years. Similar protests took place across the UK as a gigantic 1.6m people signed a government petition in opposition to Trump’s planned state visit to the UK later this year.

The Scotsman newspaper reported number at around 7,000. 

Organisers told CommonSpace that they believed the rally, put together at short notice, was one of the largest the city had seen for a number of years.

Edinburgh Northern and Leith SNP MSP Ben Macpherson told the rally that there was: “Such amazing strength shown tonight for the principles of equality, democracy and justice. I couldn’t be prouder of Edinburgh tonight.”

The passionate demonstrators were led in pro-refugee chants by refugee rights activist Pinar Aksu.

Rhea Wolfson, Labour Party, said the demonstration proved that “We will stand hand in hand with our international family and not with their oppressor.”

Deborah Kayembe, a human rights lawyer who moved to Scotland as a refugee, told the crowd: “If I have survived in the UK, it is because of ordinary people like you who have been on my side.”

Buzzfeed were particularly impressed by some of the sign designs on show. 

Glasgow 

Towards 2,000 people gathered in Glasgow’s Buchanan Street and George Square.

The gathering at Buchanan Street chanted “From Palestine to Mexico, all the walls have got to go” and “No hate, no fear: Donald Trump’s not welcome here.”

Earlier protestors who gathered from 5pm on Buchanan Street then joined up with a second rally in the city’s George Square. 

Lawyer and human rights activist Aamer Anwar spoke to CommonSpace, saying the movement “uniting in solidarity with the muslim community”. 

CommonSpace reporter Nat Williams also spoke to Muslim Scots on the normalisation of prejudice by the far-right and media.

Highlights also included a sign which read “Yer maw was an immigrant: you absolute roaster.”

Aberdeen

Dundee

Over 300 people protested in Dundee, with a march from City Square to the McManus gallery.

St Andrews

Scottish Government minister Humza Yousaf celebrated the protests. “Often in darkest of times we see the best of the human condition shine through,” he said.

Picture: CommonSpace

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