Mancunians came out in droves on Friday evening to protest Donald Trump’s visit to the UK, gathering in front of the town hall in Albert Square.
The event’s Facebook page said that the demonstration was held in order to “highlight the struggle against Trump’s bigoted policies – from fighting racism, war and sexism.”
Demonstrators waved placards and chanted anti-Trump slogans – as well as flying Palestinian and EU flags – whilst listening to a range of political speakers.
There was also a performance from a Mexican dance troupe – a deliberate jibe to Trump’s rhetoric on Mexico and the Mexican people.
An old London red bus festooned with ‘Trump go home’ signage was parked at the side of Albert Square and Hacienda DJ Dave Haslam played a set from a van in front of the town hall entrance.
The event, hosted by Stand Up to Racism Manchester and Manchester Council Labour Group, was just one of several demonstrations around the country.
An estimated 250,000 people marched in London as part of the so-called ‘Carnival of Resistance’ organised by the Stop Trump Coalition.
Manchester was not one of the destinations on Trump’s UK tour.
The last US president to make an official visit Manchester was 100 years ago when Woodrow Wilson visited in 1918.
During a speech at the Free Trade Hall, Wilson said: “I feel—I felt before I came here—at home in Manchester, because Manchester has so many of the characteristics of our great American cities.”
