PAAs with most of President Trump’s visits to the UK, his travels to the other side of the Atlantic are often met by protests of some sort.
As well as the countless marches, petitions and demonstrations, one of the most visually striking protests is the now infamous Trump baby blimp.
It flew over London last summer, as Trump arrived in the UK in July, after the capital’s mayor Sadiq Khan gave permission for the giant balloon to fly.
PATrump, naturally, didn’t respond very well to the balloon, telling The Sun at the time:
I used to love London as a city. I haven’t been there in a long time. But when they make you feel unwelcome, why would I stay there?
I guess when they put out blimps to make me feel unwelcome, no reason for me to go to London.
Trump also criticised Khan at the time, saying he ‘has done a terrible job in London.’
It’s somewhat unsurprising, therefore, that Khan has given permission for the Trump baby blimp to fly over the city once again during the POTUS’ upcoming visit.
PATrump is set to arrive in the UK on Monday, June 3. Organisers behind the balloon plan to fly it over Parliament Square on Tuesday, June 4, during the state visit.
While the Trump Baby team, which is part of the Stop Trump coalition, must wait to the Metropolitan Police to give approval, they are confident it will go ahead.
Anna Vickerstaff, a Trump blimp ‘Babysitter’ told ITV:
Now that the GLA has given us permission, we’re almost ready to fly the baby.
All we need now is for the public to help us to hit our fundraiser target in support of the groups who are fighting the impacts of Trump’s disastrous policies.
We’ve promised to get the baby in the air again – but only if and when we raise money for these groups.
We’re all for making a joke out of Trump, but we won’t let the opportunity pass to support those fighting the very serious impacts of what he’s doing.
PAAt the time of writing, the Bring Trump Baby Back crowdfunder has already raised over £20,000.
In addition to the Trump baby blimp, several protest groups are planning to march through London during Trump’s visit, including the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, convening at Trafalgar Square on Tuesday at 11am.
Kate Hudson, the general secretary for the campaign group, said:
Yes, Britain must foster good diplomatic relations with all countries, but unfurling the red carpet and hosting a state banquet for a US president like Donald Trump is entirely inappropriate.
Trump is scheduled to meet with prime minister Theresa May, as well as the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.
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Charlie Cocksedge is a journalist and sub-editor at UNILAD. He graduated from the University of Manchester with an MA in Creative Writing, where he learnt how to write in the third person, before getting his NCTJ. His work has also appeared in such places as The Guardian, PN Review and the bin.