Donald Trump protest in London: Route, when and why are people protesting UK visit

Tom Herbert3 December 2019

Donald Trump's visit to the UK will be met with protests led by nurses and doctors demanding the president keeps his "hands off our NHS".

Tens of thousands of protesters are set to march on Buckingham Palace on Tuesday in response to the US President's third visit to these shores.

The Stop Trump Coalition said the march will highlight any future risks to the health service in a US-UK trade deal, and will be joined by the Stop the War Coalition and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) who will assemble for their own "No to Trump - No to Nato" march on the palace.

With thousands of demonstrators expected at the protests on Tuesday evening as the Queen hosts as reception at Buckingham Palace, here's all you need to know.

Donald Trump arrives in London

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Who is protesting?

The protest will be led by nurses, doctors and NHS workers, and will be backed by a wide range of groups including the Stop Trump Coalition, Keep Our NHS Public, UK Student Climate Network, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, People’s Assembly, Muslim Association of Britain, Kurdish Solidarity Campaign, Quakers in Britain and more.

CND and the Stop The War Coalition will also be taking part in a march called "No to Trump - No To Nato".

What is the route of the march?

The demonstration will assemble at Trafalgar Square from 4pm for music and speeches.

Around 5pm, protesters will then head down the Mall to arrive at Canada Gate, opposite Buckingham Palace, at 5.45pm - shortly before Mr Trump is expected to arrive for a reception hosted by the Queen.

Protesters are encouraged to "bring pots and pans to make some noise", along with lights and glow sticks to ensure you are "heard and seen by the Queen's guests".

An event called "Dance Music Against Trump" will be held at Trafalgar Square from 7pm.

Why are people protesting?

The Stop Trump Coalition said in a statement: "The health workers’ bloc will tell Trump 'hands off our NHS', as concerns intensify about a trade deal letting US firms muscle in on the health service."

Nick Dearden from Global Jusice Now added that the protest will make it clear that Britain "is not for sale" by campaigning over potential risks to the NHS from a future US-UK trade deal.

"That’s why Tuesday’s demonstration will be led by nurses and doctors," he added, "to symbolise the millions of people who will stand up for our health service against a US President who simply represents the biggest, greediest corporate interests in the world."

Lindsey German, from Stop the War Coalition, said: “We need an alternative to war, militarism and racism – an anti-war government and a mass demonstration against Trump and Nato.”

CND general secretary Kate Hudson described Nato as “a hugely dangerous and destructive nuclear-armed alliance with the capacity to destroy all forms of life many times over”.

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