A robotic likeness of President Trump on a golden toilet in Trafalgar Square on June 4. (Photo: Tim Ireland/AP)
LONDON (AP) — Thousands of protesters greeted President Donald Trump’s U.K. visit with anger and British irony Tuesday, crowding London’s government district while the U.S. leader met Prime Minister Theresa May nearby.
Feminists, environmentalists, peace activists, trade unionists and others demonstrated against the lavish royal welcome being given to a president they see as a danger to the world, chanting “Say it loud, say it clear, Donald Trump’s not welcome here.”
“I’m very cross he’s here,” said guitar teacher Sarah Greene, carrying a home-made sign reading “keep your grabby hands off our national treasures” under a picture of one of Queen Elizabeth II’s corgis.
“I find him scary. My sign is flippant and doesn’t say the things I’d really like to say.”
A day of protests began with the flying of a giant blimp depicting the president as an angry orange baby, which rose from the grass of central London’s Parliament Square.
One group came dressed in the red cloaks and bonnets of characters from Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale,” which is set in a dystopian, misogynist future America.
Demonstrators filled Trafalgar Square and spilled down Whitehall, a street lined with imposing government offices.
Many paused to photograph a robotic likeness of Trump sitting on a golden toilet, cell phone in hand. The robot caught the attention of passers-by with its recitation of catchphrases including “No collusion” and “You are fake news.”
Protesters gathered in central London. (Photo: Tim Ireland/AP)
The "Statue of Liberty" near the "Trump Baby" blimp in central London. (Photo: Matt Dunham/AP)(Photo: Matt Dunham/AP)
Trump-masked man demonstrates against the president in Parliament Square. (Photo: Matt Dunham/AP)
Protesters line a barrier on Whitehall during a demonstration against President Trump. (Photo: Tolga Akmen/AFP/Getty Images)
A stack of Donald Trump toilet paper on a London street. (Photo: Matt Dunham/AP)
A real baby nearby the "Trump Baby" blimp in Parliament Square. (Photo: Matt Dunham/AP)
Man carries a placard as people gather to march through central London to demonstrate against the state visit of President Donald Trump (Photo: Matt Dunham/AP)
People hold placards with anti-Trump messages in central London. (Photo: Matt Dunham/AP)
Protesters dressed in inflatable Donald Trump baby costumes stand in the rain at Parliament Square.(Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Mime artists dressed in red with white face paint during a demonstration against U.S. President Donald Trump's state visit to the U.K. (Photo: Sam Mellish / In Pictures via Getty Images)
A male mime artist with a placard reading "Make Orwell Fiction Again" during a demonstration against U.S. President Donald Trump's state visit to the U.K. (Photo: Sam Mellish / In Pictures via Getty Images)
Anti-Trump demonstrators march through central London. (Photo: Tim Ireland/AP)
Women dressed as Handmaidens during a demonstration against U.S. President Donald Trump. (Photo: Sam Mellish / In Pictures via Getty Images)
People in central London demonstrate against President Trump. (Photo: Matt Dunham/AP)
Demonstrators protest President Trump along Whitehall in London. (Photo: Tolga Akmen/AFP/Getty Images)
Climate-change and anti-Trump protesters in central London. (Photo: Isabel Infantes/AFP/Getty Images)
Anti-Trump protesters and the "Trump Baby" blimp in central London. (Photo: Isabel Infantes/AFP/Getty Images)
A placard depicting President Trump and Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage in central London. (Photo: Isabel Infantes/AFP/Getty Images)
Demonstrators protest the visit of President Trump along Whitehall in London. (Photo: Tolga Akmen/AFP/Getty Images)
