Tens of thousands sign up to protest against Trump’s UK visit

Tens of thousands of Britons say they are planning to hit the streets in a “carnival of resistance” when Donald Trump visits the UK this summer.

Downing Street confirmed yesterday that the US president will arrive on 13 July for his long-heralded visit to Britain, during which he will hold “bilateral talks” with Prime Minister Theresa May. Within hours of the announcement, more than 100,000 Facebook users signalled their interest in “Protest Trump’s visit”, a demonstration organised by journalist Owen Jones. A further 38,000 confirmed that they would join the anti-Trump rally.

Even London Mayor Sadiq Khan got in on the action, saying in a tweet that Trump “will see that Londoners hold their liberal values of freedom of speech very dear”.

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There is speculation that, as a result of possible crowd trouble, Trump will meet the Queen or other royals at Windsor Castle, and will join the PM at her Chequers countryside retreat, rather than in central London, The Independent reports.

The US ambassador to the UK, Woody Johnson, said the “thick-skinned” president would not be deterred by demonstrations. “He will definitely be coming to London,” he said.

Trump was originally due to visit the UK in February for the opening of the new US embassy in London, but pulled out in January amid warnings of massive street protests.