Sign sums up London's response to Trump as violence breaks out at protests

As angry protesters marched against Donald Trump, one placard summed up the fury at the pomp and ceremony over the US President’s UK visit.

A Trump supporter is ‘milkshaked’ at the protests against the US President’s state visit in London.

Two young women summed up the anger at Donald Trump during his state visit to the UK as thousands protested against the US President in London.

Anna Fenton, 23, and Emma Hough, 24, carried a sign with just six words: “Ugh, where do I even start?” featuring a cartoon of Mr Trump.

“We had to be here,” Ms Hough told news.com.au. “We were itching to be here and say our piece.”

The pair were protesting against harsh new abortion laws introduced in parts of the United States, while others focused on issues including climate change and racism.

Protesters Emma Hough and Anna Fenton said Donald Trump had helped create a climate where ‘terrifying’ new abortion laws could be brought in. Picture: Victoria Craw/news.com.au

“Trump and his rhetoric has created the climate where this sort of thing could get passed,” said Ms Hough. “We’re young women. I would hate to be in the position where I couldn’t control my own body, it’s terrifying.”

Ms Fenton, who designed the sign, added: “If I was someone somewhere harmed by Trump’s policies or language ... I would want to see someone standing up for me.”

But Mr Trump dismissed the protests in London as “fake news”, saying he only saw a “very small” group after his motorcade drove past the crowds in Parliament Square.

....Fake News will be working hard to find them. Great love all around. Also, big Trade Deal is possible once U.K. gets rid of the shackles. Already starting to talk!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2019

At a joint press conference with UK Prime Minister Theresa May, he told reporters: “I didn’t see the protesters until just a little while ago and it was a very small group of people, so it was fake news.”

He said he saw only as “very, very small group of people put in for political reasons” and was instead focused on the “thousands of people cheering” for him.

Meanwhile, demonstrators chanted “Nazi scum” outside Parliament and threw a milkshake at a Trump supporter in violent scenes as the demonstration in London turned nasty.

My god, what has happened to our country? The hatred in the blonde lady's face and the joy when the milkshake arrives....

— Robert Hardy (@RobHardyFR8) June 4, 2019

Video posted to Twitter showed activists chanting in the face of a pro-Trump protester outside the UK Parliament before a drink was poured over the man’s head and the crowd began pushing and shoving.

The stunt echoes a recent attack on hard line Brexiter Nigel Farage, who was doused in a banana and salted caramel milkshake by a protester during a visit to Newcastle in northern England last month.

Police had been staying close to the handful of Trump supporters among the crowds and quickly tried to break up the fight.

Earlier, a pro-Trump protester chanted, “You love Trump” while others jeered and clapped as they waved placards telling the President he was not welcome.

Protesters laugh as a Donald Trump supporter is hit with a milkshake and a fight breaks out.

Anti-Trump demonstrators chanted ‘Nazi scum’ at the man before he was ‘milkshaked’ and police battled to break up the brawl.

Other signs read, “Trump is worse than my cancer”, “my cat could poop a better President” and “Big man, pig man”, while some activists dressed as Mr Trump, Boris Johnson and as handmaids.

Thousands of protesters gathered in Trafalgar Square on Tuesday morning for the protest, with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn addressing the crowds as emotions ran high and a large police presence guarded London’s streets.

He said he was “very disappointed” by Mr Trump’s attack on London mayor Sadiq Khan, added that “racism divides, exploitation of minorities divides, brings about hatred, dislike, disdain and a horrible place for individuals to live in.”

Shortly afterwards, the President revealed he had refused to meet the Opposition Leader during his visit.

Some creative signs at the #TogetherAgainstTrump protest in London’s Parliament Square #TrumpProtest #StopTrump #TrumpUKVisit pic.twitter.com/DdWjk3G2CY

— Emma Reynolds (@emmareyn) June 4, 2019

Protesters jeer at a Trump supporter chanting ‘you love Trump’ as the London demonstration turns more confrontational #StopTrump #TrumpUKVisit #TogetherAgainstTrump pic.twitter.com/8jDlocrp2V

— Emma Reynolds (@emmareyn) June 4, 2019

Janey Godley, a stand-up comedian who famously welcomed the President to Scotland with a sign calling him a c**t, was back with the same sign.

“I did it because I had Trump in my country — a man who hates women,” she told news.com.au. “I think I scared him.”

She said his presence at a state dinner with the Queen was “funny as f**k”, adding: “Who is dressing that man? Nothing he wears looks good on him.

“I think it’s despicable we have to host him.”

Don Lessem, 67, brought his $35,000 “Dumping Trump” robot, which sits on a toilet intoning “fake news”, “no collusion” and “witch hunt”, after crowdfunding his trip from the US to the UK.

Demonstrators carried signs and banners as they gathered in Trafalgar Square, central London, to rally against the state visit of the US President: AP Photo/Tim Ireland

The protests featured milkshakes to throw at effigies of Mr Trump, a fake wall and a ‘Dumping Trump’ robot. Picture: AP Photo/Tim Ireland

Protesters braved the rain at Parliament Square as Mr Trump and First Lady Melania Trump visited 10 Downing Street for business meetings with the Prime Minister. Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Protesters travelled from across the UK on a Tuesday with placards bearing anti-Trump messages in central London. Picture: AP Photo/Matt Dunham

“He’s an embarrassment to America,” the protester, who makes dinosaur robots for a living and was an adviser on Jurassic Park, told news.com.au. “In truth, I’m outraged at him and making fun is my weapon.”

The crowd marched from Trafalgar Square to Parliament Square, where they chanted: “Say it loud, say it clear, Donald Trump not welcome here!”

Dumping Trump organiser Don Lessem said ‘loathing’ of Trump motivated him to build a US$25,000 model that farts and barks ‘witch hunt’ @newscomauHQ pic.twitter.com/Ul3dSKoOfC

— Victoria Craw (@victoria_craw) June 4, 2019

‘You are fake news’ #TrumpUKVisit pic.twitter.com/zv2H39YGXf

— Victoria Craw (@victoria_craw) June 4, 2019

Organiser Ana Oppenheim of Another Europe is Possible tells @newscomauHQ ‘ I know there are milkshakes planned’ for #TrumpUKVisit protests today pic.twitter.com/A3viczFTM8

— Victoria Craw (@victoria_craw) June 4, 2019

Jef Smith, 79, told news.com.au he “came here out of hostility to almost everything Trump stands for — lying, pu**y-grabbing ... he represents everything I’m opposed to.”

Ian Chamberlain, a Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament activist holding a briefcase representing the nuclear codes, told news.com.au he was “very concerned about nuclear brinkmanship” because Mr Trump was “a highly erratic man”.

A giant balloon depicting Mr Trump as an orange baby floated above Parliament Square as the President passed in his motorcade. Picture: Isabel Infantes / AFP

A ‘Trump robot’ sitting on a toilet using a smartphone in Trafalgar Square, where the huge protests will begin. Picture: Isabel Infantes / AFP

A woman protests outside Buckingham Palace in central London on Monday, the first day of Donald Trump’s three-day state visit to the UK. Picture: Isabel Infantes / AFP

Trump supporters in Trafalgar Square as the police presence was ramped up on London’s streets. Picture: AP Photo/Tim Ireland

Pro- and anti-Trump protesters tussle outside Buckingham Palace as Donald Trump attended a state dinner with the Queen. Picture: Getty

Fights broke out between Trump supporters and protesters even before the huge demonstration on Tuesday. Activists clashed outside Buckingham Palace on Monday evening as the President attended a state banquet with the Queen on the first day of his visit to the UK, with two young men scrapping over a Make America Great Again cap.

The President’s visit to the UK had already been marred by the trading of insults as Mr Trump attacked on “dumb” London mayor Sadiq Khan and “nasty” Meghan Markle, criticised Mrs May’s handling of Brexit and expressed support for Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage.

Hey Trump, Hastings and St Leonards-On-Sea are coming to get you! We will never allow #OurNHS to fall into your greedy hands.#HandsoffOurNHS #TrumpUKVisit #TogetherAgainstTrump#dumptrump#climateemergency#endracism#stopthewar pic.twitter.com/zieWHz9Fsp

— HastingsPeoplesAssembly (@HastingsPpls) June 4, 2019

Looks like it's going to be an amazing day today, just getting a sit down and a coffee ahead of #TogetherAgainstTrump @pplsassembly pic.twitter.com/PbicQIW25J

— Marie Strawberry (@MarieS5trawberr) June 4, 2019

Help us #MilkshakesAgainstRacism Trafalgar Sq 11am #TogetherAgainstTrump pic.twitter.com/J1HkzzOD6K

— Stand Up To Racism (@AntiRacismDay) June 4, 2019

Ooooh! pic.twitter.com/2U0d5kzVf7

— jimmy jones 🔶 #FBPE #ledbydonkeys (@meh1771) June 4, 2019

Mr Trump spent Tuesday at a business breakfast with Mrs May before a meeting at Downing Street and talks with UK politicians.

The President was given a grand ceremonial welcome by the Queen at Buckingham Palace on Monday and had tea with Prince Charles before a state dinner — which was disrupted by protesters outside.

He tweeted on Monday that the Queen was “fantastic”, the US-UK relationship “very strong” and he “hadn’t seen any protests yet.”

London part of trip is going really well. The Queen and the entire Royal family have been fantastic. The relationship with the United Kingdom is very strong. Tremendous crowds of well wishers and people that love our Country. Haven’t seen any protests yet, but I’m sure the....

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2019

Organisers from Stand Up to Trump and the Stop Trump Coalition told news.com.au the protest was about taking a stand against the politics of division that the President personifies.

“Donald Trump poses multiple threats relating to the economic crisis, the climate crisis, the crisis facing world in terms of hate crime, fascism and racism,” Denis Fernando from the Stand Up to Trump coalition told news.com.au.

“Donald Trump is not on the side of people trying to bring people together … we’re representing the flip side — acceptance and diversity.

“A recent poll showed less than a quarter of Londoners are in favour of the state visit, they don’t believe he should be given prestige and legitimacy.”

Political artist Kaya Mar holds up a work depicting US President Donald Trump outside the Houses of Parliament where demonstrators are gathering for a massive anti-Trump demonstration on Tuesday. Picture: Tolga Akmen / AFP

Fans of Donald Trump wait to catch sight of him, outside Buckingham Palace. Picture: AP Photo/Tim Ireland

“We want to disrupt Trump’s visit, we want him to know he’s not welcome in the UK,” Gemma Walker, campaign co-ordinator for the Stop Trump Coalition, told news.com.au.

“We’re pushing back against ‘Trumpism’, which is making policies that are racist, misogynist and homophobic mainstream.

“Trumpism exists around the globe. We have our own version of Trumpism in the UK — a hostile environment, attempts to dismantle the NHS.

“We absolutely don’t accept that. A state visit for Trump is totally unacceptable.

“It probably does add wind to the sails of some far right groups in the UK.

“We are sending a message that we reject Trumpism. It’s going to be very high profile.”

“This is a moment in time where people are coming together in protest.”

Are you attending the protest? Email [e-mail] or tweet @emmareyn.

Originally published as Sign sums up London's response to Trump as violence breaks out at protests