Over a thousand people are planning to attend an emergency protest in Birmingham this evening against Donald Trump’s ‘Muslim travel ban’ (Photograph: Geoff Dexter)
Thousands of people are expected to attend a mass protest against Donald Trump’s ‘Muslim travel ban’ in Birmingham city centre this evening.
The demonstration has been called by Birmingham resident Hasanain Jaffer in response to the executive order signed by new US President Donald Trump which bans travel to the US from seven Muslim-majority countries.
Anti Donald Trump protesters displaying banners in High Street in Birmingham city centre on 20th January 2017 (Photograph: Geoff Dexter)
Donald Trump’s highly controversial and widely condemned executive order – which was signed on Friday – immediately suspended all nationals from seven predominantly Muslim countries, halted the entire US refugee programme for 120 days and indefinitely banned Syrian refugees. A number of mid-flight passengers were detained on arrival, regardless of whether they held valid US visas or other immigration permits.
In response, thousands gathered at airports across the US to show support and solidarity with passengers targeted by the new policy, while calling on the US President to reverse the ban. Lawyers challenging the ban also joined protesters and offered free legal aid to those affected. Demonstrations have been held outside the White House and Trump Tower in New York over the weekend and are expected to continue this week.
Following the outcry, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson issued a statement claiming UK nationals would not be affected by the ban if they were born in any of the seven barred countries or if they held dual nationality. But the US embassy suggested otherwise.
Kings Heath dad Hasanain Jaffer has called a demonstration and rally in Birmingham protesting Donald Trump’s ‘Muslim travel ban’
29-year-old Hasanain Jaffer from Kings Heath set up a Facebook event page on Saturday calling on the public to protest against the so-called ‘Muslim ban’. Within a day, the event had attracted the interest of over 6,000 people with over 1,000 confirming attendance.
Over a thousand people have confirmed to attend a Birmingham protest against Donald Trump (Image: Facebook)
Writing online, the father-of-two said he was surprised by the response but understood the anger and emotion many were feeling:
“Donald Trump has imposed a ban on people from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the US. That includes people who helped the US army. That includes people on holiday trying to get home via the United States. That includes people trying to be reunited with their dying parents.
“It also includes Britons with dual nationality. Like our national hero Mo Farah. Even the Iraq-born Conservative MP Nadhim Zahawi.
“Theresa May has decided to ally herself with Donald Trump’s bigoted, misogynistic government. She has refused to speak out against Donald Trump’s #MuslimBan – even when her own Members of Parliament are targeted. It is not only weak, it is a matter of national shame – disgracing our country across the world.
Activists are rallying against new US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly called for a ban on Muslims entering the US and racially attacked members of the Mexican community (Photograph: Geoff Dexter)
“Theresa May has betrayed her own people. That doesn’t mean we have to. Let’s stand in solidarity with those targeted by Donald Trump’s hateful government, including the people of this country, outside Downing Street and all over Britain.
“Other governments – like Canada, like France, like Germany – have spoken out. Our weak, cowardly government has refused to. Let’s not have the same cowardice and betrayal as our own government.”
Co-organised by the Birmingham branch of national anti-hate organisation Stand Up To Racism and Stop the War Coalition, the demonstration and rally takes place tonight between 6pm and 8pm in Victoria Square, outside the Council House.
Attendees have been encouraged to bring banners in order to show solidarity for communities they feel are being marginalised by Donald Trump and his administration.
Hundreds of Brummies protest in Birmingham city centre on 20th January 2017, following the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th US President (Photograph: Geoff Dexter)
West Midlands anti-racism campaigner Geoff Dexter stated:
“Stand Up To Racism and Stop the War Coalition have called demonstrations with MEND and Muslim Association of Britain all over the country today and Saturday.
“Theresa May has pinned her flag to Trump’s mast of racism sexism and homophobia. Mass resistance from Birmingham, US to Birmingham, UK are key to sinking this hate and bigotry.”
Ten days ago, hundreds of people congregated in Birmingham city centre to voice their anger following the official inauguration of billionaire businessman Donald J. Trump as the 45th US President.
>> IN PICTURES: Anti-Trump protest in Birmingham city centre <<
Hundreds attended a Birmingham protest against Donald Trump’s inauguration as US President, as speakers vowed to keep returning to challenge his policies (Photograph: Geoff Dexter)
Complimenting a number of anti-Trump chants, many held up banners with slogans including “No to Racism, No to Trump”. The messages at the rally echoed the sentiments of many public figures and politicians who have responded harshly to Donald Trump’s rhetoric following his well-documented and repeated attacks on Mexican immigrants and members of the Muslim community.
Join me tonight at the Birmingham protest of Trump’s #MuslimBan. The time to stand up and say enough is NOW. #resist https://t.co/VCxP4BMgRs
— Tom [PositiveLad] (@PositiveLad) January 30, 2017
Similar protests have been taking place in cities and towns around the UK and in countries around the globe. Journalist and activist Owen Jones has also called a mass demonstration this evening in response to the ‘Muslim ban’.
Journalist and activist Owen Jones has called a mass protest in London in response to Donald Trump’s ‘Muslim travel ban’, coinciding with national demonstrations co-organised by Stand Up To Racism, Muslim Association of Britain and Stop the War Coalition (Image: Adam Yosef)
The London event, taking place at the same time as its Birmingham counterpart, will be attended by national figures including Baroness Shami Chakrabarti, Syrian refugee Mohammed Ateek, Ed Miliband MP, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, Caroline Lucas MP, Wail Qasim (Black Lives Matter), Tim Farron MP, Mhairi Black MP, Asad Rehman (Friends of the Earth), Musician and activist Lily Allen, Clive Lewis MP, Zrinka Bralo (Migrants Organise), comedian Shappi Khorsandi, Bianca Jagger, Talha Ahma (Muslim Council of Britain), Kate Hudson (CND), Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh MP, Malia Bouattia (NUS President) and Natasha Walter (Women for Refugee Women, Women’s March).
BIRMINGHAM! Protest against Donald Trump’s #MuslimBan and Theresa May’s complicity tomorrow (Monday): https://t.co/GvR2gLgEdO
— Owen Jones (@OwenJones84) January 29, 2017
Urging solidarity and support for the rally, Owen Jones wrote:
“There are moments of terrible injustice throughout history where we look back and rightly ask – what did people do? Future generations will look back at the targeting of Muslims – as we look back at the targeting of Jews – with disgust, horror and shame. If we do not speak out, we are complicit.”
More than 1.3 million people have signed a petition urging the government to call off Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK
Since Trump’s travel ban was enforced, more than 1.3 million people have signed a petition urging the government to call off Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK. British Prime Minister Theresa May invited the US President to meet the Queen during her visit to the White House last week. Buckingham Palace has declined to comment on the row.
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The Birmingham protest against Donald Trump’s ‘Muslim ban’ takes place in outside the Council House in Victoria Square between 6pm-8pm on Monday 20th January.
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