Around 150 antiracists gathered at Trump Turnberry resort today (24 June) to protest the visit of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. The lively demonstration included a mariachi band, Mexican flags, peformers on stilts and several local people wearing kilts.
Protesters were keen to send a message to Trump that he was not welcome in Scotland. The presidential canditate had previously used the Republican leadership contest to ramp up levels of racism, Islamophobia and bigotry in mainstream politics and created a climate of reaction.
Trump launched his presidential campaign with a call to build a wall to keep Mexican immigrants out, as he says they are “criminals” and “rapists”. He also whipped up Islamophobia in the wake of the Paris terror attacks by calling for a ban or “total and complete shutdown” of US borders to Muslims. Since his comments there have been a number of cases of British Muslims being declined entry to the US without good reason.
Keir McKechnie, spokesperson for Stand up to Racism Scotland and one of the organisers of the protest said: “Trump is not welcome in Scotland and his racist toxic poison is not welcome. His message of hate is one that we’ll challenge and we would not encourage anyone to support him in his presidency.
Although this protest happens to be taking place in Scotland, we want to represent people across the whole of the UK and beyond who reject Trump’s racism and Islamophobia. We stand with the anti-racists, immigrants, trade unionists, LGBT+, black and marginalised communities who have united together to oppose his rallies in cities across the United States, from Chicago to Dallas.”
Human Rights Lawyer Aamer Anwar added: “Donald Trump might not be President yet but his toxic views divide and incite hatred against Muslims and people of colour. He wants to bring back the politics of segregation for Muslims, but how long before he turns his fire on other communities? It is deeply shameful and dangerous that the USA should have a presidential candidate whipping up a poisonous cocktail of racism and threats to crush freedom of religion. We stand with the American people who oppose the gutter politics of Donald Trump, but also will tell him he is not welcome in Scotland, no matter how much money he throws at us.”
Demonstrators led chants such as “say it loud, say it clear; Donald Trump not welcome here” and were serenaded by a mariachi band throughout the day.