Over a thousand people gathered in Birmingham’s Victoria Square to protest new US President Donald Trump and his recent ‘Muslim ban’ (Photograph: Geoff Dexter)
Over a thousand of people turned out for a mass protest against Donald Trump’s ‘Muslim travel ban’ tonight in central Birmingham, as thousands more gathered across the country.
The demonstration, 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, was backed and supported by several West Midlands anti-racism and anti-war organisations.
Congregating outside the Council House in the city centre, several public figures spoke and rallied against Donald Trump’s highly controversial and widely condemned executive order – signed on Friday – which immediately suspended all nationals from seven predominantly Muslim countries.
The “special measures” also 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 have been gathering at airports across the US to show support and solidarity with those affected, while calling on the US President to reverse the ban. Demonstrations have been held outside the White House and Trump Tower in New York over the weekend and again today across the globe, including the UK.
In Birmingham, the second anti-Trump protest in just over a week attracted around 1,500 people and was lead by speakers including peace activist Salma Yaqoob, Geoff Dexter from LGBT+ Against Islamophobia and Sharon Campion from Stand Up To Racism.
Kings Heath dad Hasanain Jaffer called the demonstration and rally in Birmingham protesting Donald Trump’s recent ‘Muslim travel ban’ (Photograph: Geoff Dexter)
29-year-old Hasanain Jaffer from Kings Heath, who set up the Facebook event page calling on the public to protest against the so-called ‘Muslim ban’, chaired the event. Although only created and shared online on Saturday, the event had attracted the interest of over 6,000 people with over 1,000 confirming attendance.
The event was deliberately scheduled to coincide with similar protests across the country, also taking place this evening and was supported by Birmingham Stand Up To Racism, Stop the War Coalition, MEND (Muslim Engagement and Development), the Muslim Association of Britain, Amnesty International, UNISON and the West Midlands Green Party.
Brummies brave the cold weather to protests against Donald Trump’s US ‘Muslim ban’ (Photograph: Geoff Dexter)
Diversity and unity were common themes during speeches at the Birmingham anti-Trump rally (Photograph: Geoff Dexter)
Addressing the large crowd outside the Council House, Jaffer said:
“We will not remain silent in the face of Islamophobia. We will not remain silent in the face of immigrant-bashing. We will not remain silent in the face of unjustified restrictions on freedom.
“We stand here to show President Trump that his policies will not be met with silence. His oppression will be resisted.We stand here to show our diversity, and because we want to spread the love and share it. I hope Theresa May is watching. This is what a multicultural community looks like. This is what we want to share with the world.”
Salma Yaqoob joined protesters in Birmingham city centre and spoke out against Donald Trump (Photograph: Geoff Dexter)
Prominent peace activist Salma Yaqoob came out to support the rally. She said:
“I don’t normally like name-calling but I do think that ‘Theresa the Appeaser’ is very apt.
“[It was] particularly disgusting that it was on Holocaust Memorial Day that Trump announced this ban. We know that the irony will be lost on him but at least when it comes to the rest of the world and the world leaders – on the very day that they say ‘Never again will we allow this kind of prejudice, this kind of appeasement to happen’ – on that very day that’s what happened.
“And I speak as an unapologetic Muslim, and I say to my fellow brothers and sisters, do not be afraid. Do not be afraid. That’s what they want for us as Muslims. They want us to feel that we’re alone, they want us to feel that everybody’s against us, they want us to actually be part of that hatred of ‘them and us’; and at the same time they want people who are not Muslim to fear people like me.”
.@caitlinmoran @OwenJones84 @CrowdpacUK Nice
Proud of huge protests today all over UK – amazing turnout and amazing spirit
— Salma Yaqoob (@SalmaYaqoob) January 30, 2017
Proud of huge protests today all over UK – amazing turnout and amazing spirit 
Also speaking at the event were local political figures. Businesswoman Beverley Nielsen spoke on behalf of the Liberal Democrats, while councillors Sharon Thompson, Mariam Khan and Penny Holbrook for the Labour Party. Green Party activist Giovanni Spoz Esposito lead chants and emphasised the unity of a diverse population. Waseem Zaffar, Birmingham City Council’s Cabinet Member for Transparency, Openness & Equality, was also in attendance.
Birmingham poet and Green Party member Giovanni ‘Spoz’ Esposito speaking at the anti-Trump rally outside the Council House (Photograph: Geoff Dexter)
Somali community representative Abdi Naseer Ahmed was joined by Mirfat Sulaiman from the Yemeni community. Both nations are on the list of Muslim countries recently banned by Donald Trump’s executive order. They were supported by Ladislav Balaz from the European Roma group and members of the city’s Gambian community.
Doug Morgan from the National Union of Teachers spoke alongside Peter Jackson from the People’s Assembly, Faeeza Vaid from the Muslim Women’s Network UK and Kurly from Love Music Hate Racism.
Valerie Harrison from the Birmingham Progressive Synagogue addresses protesters at the rally against Donald Trump (Photograph: Geoff Dexter)
Rev. David Butterworth, the Minister for West Midlands Methodist Churches, shared his views on peace and prejudice before being complimented by the Progressive Synagogue chair Valerie Harrison’s message of hope in the face of hate. Jessica Foster from St Peter’s Church in Hall Green equally challenged divisive politics and condemned Donald Trump.
Roar of the crowd at the #StandUpToTrump demo in Birmingham! #refugeesarewelcomehere @OwenJones84 pic.twitter.com/97YYprqeug
— Amrit Singh (@MrASingh) January 30, 2017
Student organisations were also out in full force at the protest, with Vice President of Birmingham City University Student Union Jaspreet Singh standing in solidarity alongside Jo McNeil of the University and College Lecturer’s Union and Jo Goodman, the President of student union at Birmingham City University (BCU).
A placard targets Donald Trump during the Birmingham emergency protest against the US President’s recent ‘Muslim ban’ (Photograph: Harvey McDonald)
Around 1,500 people turned out in Birmingham to protest Donald Trump and his recent policies (Photograph: Geoff Dexter)
West Midlands anti-racism and LGBT rights campaigner Geoff Dexter co-chaired the rally. Speaking to I Am Birmingham, he said:
“Stand Up To Racism and Stop the War Coalition called demonstrations with MEND and Muslim Association of Britain all over the country today and again on Saturday.
Geoff Dexter from LGBT+ Against Islamophobia speaks at the anti-Trump rally in Birmingham (Photograph: Harvey McDonald)
“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. We will not allow one form of oppression to be used against another form of oppression. We need solidarity from all sections of society to overthrow this rotten system and fight for a better world.
“As Black revolutionary Angela Davies put it, we have to turn every single day into a day of resistance.”
A protesters and his placard message at the Birmingham anti-Trump protest (Photograph: Harvey McDonald)
Anti-Trump placards outside the Birmingham Council House in Victoria Square (Photograph: Harvey McDonald)
>> IN PICTURES: Anti-Trump inauguration protest in Birmingham city centre <<
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.
Thank you Birmingham. For coming to stand against Trump’s hate & May’s appeasement. For protesting peacefully despite the weather. #RESIST pic.twitter.com/xOvQs4vqz8
— Tom [PositiveLad] (@PositiveLad) January 30, 2017
It’s all about people.. nothing to do with race, religion, sex, sexuality, colour or creed.. just one people. Proud of you #birmingham https://t.co/z9jGjlVuPI
— Ed James (@edjames_) January 30, 2017
Speaking in my beautiful city of #Birmingham with fellow amazing Brummies in protest against the #MuslimBan & for #TrumpBan. pic.twitter.com/kxwzJ0Ra7A
— Mariam Khan (@mariamkhan29) January 30, 2017
Similar protests took 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 in London.
The London event was 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).
“We said #NeverAgain in Auschwitz,
We said #NeverAgain in Rwanda,
As citizens of Birmingham we stand united and say #NeverAgain” #RESIST pic.twitter.com/HGVCFsPRoJ— Tom [PositiveLad] (@PositiveLad) January 30, 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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