A protest against President Donald Trump in Birmingham city centre (Photograph: Geoff Dexter)
Two large protests have already taken place in Birmingham city centre since the inauguration of new US President Donald J. Trump on Saturday 20th January.
The first rally took place on the day the new Head of State took the oath of office, as a gesture of solidarity with individuals and groups protesting Trump across the world, and in response to Trump’s rhetoric targeting marginalised communities including Muslims, Mexicans, disabled people and women.
The second took place ten days later on Monday 30th January to protest an executive order, signed by Trump, which bans travel to the US from seven predominantly Muslim countries. The demonstration was also a response to British Prime Minister Theresa May inviting Trump on an official state visit to the UK. This gathering also coincided with large demonstrations in major cities across the UK and around the globe.
A third protest rally is taking place tomorrow (Sat 4th Feb) in central Birmingham as many vow to continue protesting Donald Trump’s policies.
We asked Brummies why they stood against the newly instated Republican President of the United States.
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Jessica Foster, Kings Heath
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“Yesterday’s protest was part of a wave of action to protest the executive order passed by President Trump banning people from seven Muslim-majority countries from travelling to the US. An order for the immediate ban on refugees arriving in America was another major area of concern for me and many others. I wanted to be there, as an Anglican clergy person, to demonstrate that I care about people affected by the ban, the Church cares and God cares.
While this ban affects people of many faiths including Jains, Baha’is, Christians, Yazidis and people of no faith; it is clearly aimed at Muslim people and I wanted to be there in solidarity with my Muslim friends who face discrimination, suspicion and prejudice. The demonstration was arranged in just a few days, called by Hasanain Jaffer from the Shia Mosque in Clifton Road, backed by Stand Up to Racism. I think there were well over 1,000 people gathered in Victoria Square, with a plethora of placards and banners.
I was concerned that some attending this protest may seek stir up hatred against an individual (Trump) but the atmosphere was largely positive and good-humoured with a determination to stand together against this latest divisive and hurtful policy. There were lots of familiar faces in the crowd: Christians from various denominations, Muslim and Jewish friends, local politicians, young people and older activists.
I had not had much time to plan my speech but as a good Anglican I had planned three points beginning with ‘P’ – I managed two, then thrown by some applause, the third one went out of my head! I spoke about protesting policy not people. I said that we need to act out of compassion and love not hatred and resentment. Trump too is made in the image of God.
My second point was that we need to be practical and welcome to Birmingham those who have fled violence and conflict, immigrants and refugees, demonstrating that we value and appreciate them and all they bring to our great city. If it had remembered my third point it would have been that we must pray – the scale of what is happening seems overwhelming, the centre of power is thousands of miles away but prayer can and does change things.
As Christians, we are global citizens and part of a family that has members across the whole world. We cannot limit ourselves to caring only about our own street or neighbourhood nor can we turn a blind eye when there is injustice. We are called to speak truth to power, as Jesus did, even when it is risky. We are called to proclaim love in the face of hatred and unity in the face of division. We who pray ‘Your will be done on earth as it in heaven’, need to protest, practice our faith and pray until we see the justice, joy, peace and harmony of heaven here on earth.”
Anglican church curate Jessica Foster with Muslim community worker Saraya Haych at the anti-Trump demo in Birmingham (Photograph: Saraya Haych)
Saraya Haytch, Balsall Heath
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“I attended the demo because like many times before I have felt so much frustration at injustices that happen around the world and feeling like there is little or nothing I can do.
If I were able to sit down with the man himself then I would remind him that he too, has instigated a massive injustice against people who less than 400 years ago were stolen from some of the so called ‘Muslim Ban’ countries and the fact they were utilised like cattle to produce lucrative crops and thus contributed massively to the economy of what is now the United States of America.
Many people may argue that we have no right to interfere in the politics of the US but when our own Prime Minister is seen to be condoning his actions, Yes Mrs. May, silence is the voice of complicity – I feel it is only right that we, as citizens of the country she leads should make a stand and make clear we do not agree with the hindering of our fellow human beings from returning to their families, jobs, schools and lives dictated by some arbitrary rule that they were born in the wrong place.
In less than 48 hours, Birmingham rallied together with a turnout of well over a thousand people outside the Council House and it was a true reflection of what I know Birmingham to really be. A melting pot of people who came together with one aim alone and that was to send a clear, concise message of unity against the despicable policy of he who is known as a leader of the free world.”
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Majid Mahmood, Hodge Hill
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Cllr Majid Mahmood (left) with Paulette Hamilton and Mohammed Aikhlaq MBE (Photograph: Majid Mahmood)
“It was important that we came together to show our anger towards an ill -ounded policy that will breed hatred and marginalise a community. If we don’t speak up tomorrow it could be another community, and so on.
Our wonderful city is the one of the most diverse cities in the world with people of all backgrounds and religions living together in peace. Hence, it was amazing to see people from all backgrounds, religions, and cultures come together as one to stand up to Trump.
History has proven time and time again that appeasement doesn’t work in the long run. It is imperative that all cities come together to show their fury at the ridiculous policy.”
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Aquila Edwards, Edgbaston
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Aquila Edwards vlogging live at the anti-Trump rally in Birmingham (Image: Aquila Edwards)
“Seven executive orders, seven presidential memos and two proclamations.
Reads like nothing on paper or a screen of a device.
However, it seems we’re entering into the best of times and the worst of times. We’re seeing the President of the united States (POTUS) writing executive orders which stand in total opposition with the very constitution the founding fathers sought to prevent.
Hence why we stand shoulder to shoulder with our fellows in the US, seeing Muslims coming home getting walked into immigration even when they’re long time green card holders, contributing to community and doing their thing.
Seeing a rally organised in the space of 24 hours and the turnout says a lot. Nearly a thousand people with a mix of all kinds of people.
Students. Professionals. Pensioners. Poets.
All joined by one common denominator, being united in the face of a ridiculous, non-sensical administration trying to divide the US and therefore the globe.”
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Kerry Baugh, Digbeth
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Kerry Baugh attended the anti-Trump rally in Birmingham city centre
“In all honesty, I attended the demo to make sure that there was an anti-fascist presence if any right-wingers showed up.
Of course, I detest Trump and all he is doing and represents, but I was unsure what a protest in Birmingham would actually achieve. Once I arrived I was pretty overwhelmed by the numbers. It was a grim cold day and there were lots more people than expected.
I appreciated the variety in the crowd, with people of all ages and races uniting. Although the protest wasn’t likely to actively change the situation, I think a lot of people there seemed to take comfort from knowing that they aren’t alone in their outrage, and hopefully the amount of people and atmosphere there will encourage more people to attend more direct actions in the future.”
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Waseem Zaffar, Handsworth
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Cllr Waseem Zaffar, seen here in the US campaigning for Barack Obama in 2012 (Photograph: Waseem Zaffar)
“Trumps ban on Muslims from the countries identified is a racist piece of legislation that contradicts the values that the United States of America was founded and built upon. It also play right into the hands of extremists that seek to divide and spread hate.
“I’m proud to be in a city and country that welcomes people from all over the world, often helping people re-establish their life’s from oppression and challenges of all sorts.”
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Doug Morgan, Moseley
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Doug Morgan speaking at a previous anti-racism event in Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)
“As a teacher, I have to wonder how many of my students would now be prevented from going to the States just because of the lottery of where they were born. This racist policy of Trump is one that isn’t just a policy of politicians across the ocean.
“Here in Birmingham, we have had teachers going to teach children stuck in refugee camps in Calais and Dunkirk who are prevented from coming to the UK in order to seek asylum, enjoy education and hope to reach their potential. Trump has rightly attracted phenomenal opposition to his racist, sexist and discriminatory policies.
“Our union is proud to stand with those saying that his nightmare vision is not one that people should accept and we look back to the many examples in history of how people have fought for rights for democracy, trade unionism, women, black people, minorities and more as the potential guide to a better future for all.”
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Salma Latif Khanim, Moseley
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Salma Latif Khanim attended the anti-Trump demonstration in Birmingham with her daughter (Photograph: Salma Khanim)
“I attended, accompanied by my 14 year old daughter. Main reason for attending – I’m angry at the poor leadership around the world and particularly with Trump and May right now. We need leaders with compassion, integrity, humanity and grace.
Young people are growing up in a world where most leaders are dishonest, selfish and ignorant about what the people want. Is this the legacy we are allowing our young people to follow? I won’t allow that! We are the wall.
Very pleased with turnout, fully expected it to be great. Us Brummies always come together to fight injustice of any kind.
With regards to the ‘Muslim Ban’, again, Trump’s leadership is shocking! He wants to protect America from terror threats so he’s picked the majority Muslim countries which have been ripped apart by war and famine. How does that make any sense?
The biggest threat America has is the gun violence plaguing the nation. He needs to look to that first. Plenty of research to show how more deaths in US are caused by gun violence. Using the ‘Muslim Ban’ is totally wrong, is an injustice to a group of people based on their faith, and it’s a distraction from real issues he needs to deal with!”
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Abdi Samad, Highgate
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Abdi Samad, seen here with former Prime Minister David Cameron, joined the recent Birmingham demonstration against Donald Trump (Photograph: Abdi Samad)
“As a community campaigner I really felt that I had to come out and support the thousand plus who gathered in Birmingham. This is about equality and protecting human values. More vitally, it is about showing that humans, wherever they come from are bound by human love and shared values.
The United States immigration statute had, for 50 years, prohibited the kind of discrimination that this travel ban engages in, and moreover, the US Constitution prohibits targeting people because of their religion, which this travel ban is a very lightly disguised attempt to do.
I profoundly believe that the travel ban is the wrong approach and will likely be counterproductive. This ban must be withdrawn immediately and world leaders, including the British Prime Minister, should voice their deepest concern.”
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Joe Cook, Sutton Coldfield
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Joe Cook (right), shown here with poet Giovanni ‘Spoz’ Esposito, at a previous Stand Up To Racism event (Photograph: Geoff Dexter)
“I attended the demo for a number of reasons to show solidarity with Muslims from the many countries being denied temporary access to the United States, many of which will be fleeing violence, war and oppression.
But with Trump, unfortunately there are so many reasons to attend and be angry. He is like a selection box of ignorance so there is something for everyone, whether its women’s rights, immigrant rights, human rights, spreading ignorance about Latino and Hispanic people, climate change, advocating war crimes and torture.
The main reason I’m here is to make a stand against the far-right groups who through his victory have grown in strength, confidence and power. I’m not saying every Trump supporter is a racist but when you’ve got groups saying ‘Jew Lies Matter’, ‘Hail Trump’; and white-power and Nazi salutes are being thrown up at rallies and conferences, we have to do something.
We take pride in British history of our triumph over fascism being one of our greatest victories, but I truly believe we are losing the rematch.”
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Hasanain Jaffer, Kings Heath
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Kings Heath dad Hasanain Jaffer called the demonstration and rally in Birmingham protesting Donald Trump’s recent ‘Muslim travel ban’ (Photograph: Geoff Dexter)
“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.”
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Geoff Dexter, Hockley
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Geoff Dexter (second right), seen here at Birmingham Pride, also attended the anti-Trump demonstration in the city (Photograph: Adam Yosef)
“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.
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.”
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Salma Yaqoob, Kings Heath
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Salma Yaqoob joined protesters in Birmingham city centre and spoke out against Donald Trump (Photograph: Geoff Dexter)
“[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.”
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An anti-Trump demonstration is taking place on Saturday 4th February in High Street in Birmingham city centre, outside Waterstones and the Bullring, between 2pm-4pm.
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>> READ MORE: Hundreds protest Trump’s ‘Muslim ban’ at mass Birmingham rally <<
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