Thousands of anti-Trump protesters descend on London

Thousands of anti-Trump protesters descend on London

By SABRINA MILLER, NEWS REPORTER 17 September 2025 Daily Mail UK

holding giant balloons of US President in nappy, dragging MAGA effigies and waving placards branding him a 'fascist'

By SABRINA MILLER, NEWS REPORTER

Thousands of anti-Trump protesters descended on London this afternoon, holding giant balloons of Donald Trump in a nappy and waving effigies.

Large crowds marched on Westminster, packing Parliament Square, as the US President and his wife Melania were hosted by the King and Queen at Windsor Castle.

The event was initially billed as a demonstration by the Stop Trump Coalition of 50 organisations, angry that the UK was again hosting the veteran Republican.

But the protest quickly took on the feel of a pro-Palestinian march, with chants of 'free, free Palestine' and the distinctive black white green and red flag seeming to outnumber anti-Trump banners.

It was a much more sedate affair in Windsor, where just a handful of protesters braved the dreary September weather to make clear their opposition to President Trump, who has historically aligned himself strongly with Israel.

Indeed the smattering of demonstrators outside the Castle were outnumbered by the world's media and a large police presence.

Thames Valley Police put large barriers in place as part of security measures, with the entirety of the two-day state visit taking place behind closed doors, at Windsor Castle and at Sir Keir Starmer's countryside residence Chequers, where the Trumps are due visit tomorrow.

Meanwhile, 25 miles east of Windsor in central London, one activist made their feelings known by dragging an effigy of the President.

But the numbers were swelled by demonstrators from left-wing groups including Amnesty, the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign and Stop the War, who waved Palestinian flags and chanted 'Stop the hate, stop the fear. Donald Trump's not welcome here' and '1234 Occupation no more. 5678. Israel is a terrorist state'.

Campaigners marched from near the BBC's Broadcasting House in Portland Place to Parliament Square while holding signs which stated: 'End the genocide. Stop Trump' and 'Resist fascism. Resist Trump'.

Some protesters carried smaller versions of the Trump baby blimp, which became a symbol of demonstration during the President's first UK state visit in 2019.

One man - who arrived at the march dressed up as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - held up a sign stating: 'War criminals for Trump'.

Rosemary Strivens, 70, who arrived wearing a Palestinian neck scarf known as a keffiyeh, said: 'We hate what is happening in America with Trump.

'We feel that democracy is threatened.

'Black people. Women. Immigrants. They are all threatened in America.

'We think he (Trump) is scum.

'I feel that Trump could bring to an end the genocide in Gaza and he hasn't done anything.'

Protesters arrived at Parliament Square shortly after 4pm, and featured a number of speeches in which references to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, and former Trump ally Elon Musk were met with boos from those assembled. 

Veteran singer-songwriter Billy Bragg performed for the crowds, while former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, and Zarah Sultana, who have formed a new political party, also spoke.

New Green Party Zack Polanski leader said the President Trump's second state visit was 'absolutely outrageous'.

Speaking at the rally, attended by up to 5,000 people, according to the Metropolitan Police, said: 'Of course, we should have a relationship with the American president who's democratically elected, but to give him a state visit, millions of pounds spent on security, a red carpet, the pomp and ceremony of everything that's happening - that's absolutely outrageous.' 

Zarah Sultana, who is forming a new political party with ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, also gave an address to crowds

'What we're seeing is this rolling out the red carpet for a man who absolutely does not represent British values.'

A handful of counter protesters - including members of Turning Point UK - also tried to engage with anti-Trump activists.

Two people were arrested in Windsor for incidents linked to the state visit, Thames Valley Police said.   

A 56-year-old woman, of no fixed address, was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker and using threatening or abusive language, while a 36-year-old man, also of no fixed address, was held on suspicion of public order and assault. 

Further, smaller protests are planned outside parliamentary buildings across the four nations tomorrow and Friday.