Donald Trump state visit: Giant banners unfurled on Vauxhall Bridge in protest over US president's arrival in UK

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Katy Clifton3 June 2019

Five giant banners have been unfurled on Vauxhall Bridge in protest over Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK.

Huge signs reading “Resist sexism”, “Resist racism”, “Resist hate”, “Resist cruelty” and “Resist Trump” were hung from the bridge by supporters of human rights charity Amnesty International.

The banners, which are facing the US embassy in central London, were put up after the US president and First Lady Melania Trump touched down for the three-day official state visit.

The Trumps will meet with members of the royal family at Buckingham Palace on Monday.

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania
PA

Speaking before the banners were put up, Kate Allen, Amnesty International UK’s section’s director, said: “Trump has presided over two-and-a-half years of utterly shameful policies.

"Locking up child migrants, imposing a discriminatory travel ban, decimating global funding for women's rights and withdrawing from global human rights bodies - it's been a roll call of shame under Donald Trump's presidency.

“We need to resist Trump's trashing of human rights. Within the Anglo-American relationship, we'd like to see the UK Government being far more vocal about human rights.

"Our fear is that the Government's desperate hunger for post-Brexit trade deals with the USA could mean we end up giving a free pass to the White House as this onslaught against human rights continues."

Amnesty International install 'Resist Trump' banners on Vauxhall Bridge
Getty Images

The main demonstration will see protesters - including a raft of senior Labour MPs - march through from Trafalgar Square to Downing Street.

Protesters are again hoping to fly the Donald Trump blimp, which depicts the American leader as a baby, and a 16ft talking robot of Mr Trump sitting on a gold toilet is also expected to make an appearance.

A huge police and security operation will be in place throughout the three-day state visit.

The Metropolitan Police said it had "a very experienced command team" leading the operation as the force geared up to deal with the visit itself and expected protests.

Last year, almost 10,000 officers were deployed for Mr Trump's trip to the UK, with nearly every force in the country providing staff to support the operation.

Metropolitan Police said: "A very experienced command team is preparing the multi-faceted policing and security operation for the president's visit and whilst the Met has a responsibility to ensure the right to lawful protest this needs to be balanced with the complex requirements of this policing plan."

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