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Solidarity and British humour at London anti-Trump demo

Thousands turn up in London for latest march against US president’s ban on nationals of seven Muslim states entering US.

Trump's apparent fixation with the number of people who attended his inauguration is the target of this placard. The US president insists the media is downplaying the true size of the crowd. [Shafik Mandhai/Al Jazeera]
Trump's apparent fixation with the number of people who attended his inauguration is the target of this placard. The US president insists the media is downplaying the true size of the crowd. [Shafik Mandhai/Al Jazeera]
By 
Shafik Mandhai
4 Feb 2017

Thousands of protesters have marched in Britain’s capital, London, against US President Donald Trump’s order to ban nationals from seven majority-Muslim states from entering the United States.

The demonstration on Saturday, which marked the second round of UK protests against Trump in a week, came as a US federal judge in the city of Seattle blocked the order pending a review.

Called for by a coalition of Muslim and anti-racist groups, the rally drew thousands of people outside the US embassy in London.

OPINION: The US Muslim ban and the story of my Iraqi father

Protesters later marched towards parliament, channelling anger at Trump and the British prime minister, Theresa May, for her cordial relations with the US leader.

Many in the UK are resentful that May extended an invitation to Trump for a formal visit to the country during a meeting between the two leaders at the White House last week.

A parliamentary petition to bar Trump from visiting the UK has picked up more than 1.8 million signatures, while one supporting his visit has just less than 300,000.

UK members of parliament will debate the issue on February 20.

As with earlier demonstrations against Trump, many protesters chose to bypass the placards produced by organisers and instead opted to make their own.

Here are some of the homemade banners that were on display during Saturday’s demonstration:

Many protesters in London chose to make their own placards. Here, protesters mockingly say that retail outlet Argos is known for better-quality cabinets than the one Trump has formed. [Shafik Mandhai/Al Jazeera]
Many protesters in London chose to make their own placards. Here, protesters mockingly say that retail outlet Argos is known for better-quality cabinets than the one Trump has formed. [Shafik Mandhai/Al Jazeera]
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This protester felt her anger at Trump was best expressed in rhyme form. [Shafik Mandhai/Al Jazeera]
This protester felt her anger at Trump was best expressed in rhyme form. [Shafik Mandhai/Al Jazeera]
Many protesters poked fun at the US president's trademark tan. 'Curse this orange president', reads this placard in Arabic. [Al Jazeera]
Many protesters poked fun at the US president's trademark tan. 'Curse this orange president', reads this placard in Arabic. [Al Jazeera]
This message appears aimed at Sean Spicer, Trump's press secretary, who has suggested a five-year-old could pose a security threat. [Shafik Mandhai/Al Jazeera]
This message appears aimed at Sean Spicer, Trump's press secretary, who has suggested a five-year-old could pose a security threat. [Shafik Mandhai/Al Jazeera]
This barb aimed at Theresa May refers to Hugh Grant's character in the 2003 romantic comedy Love Actually. In one scene, Grant, who plays a British prime minister, breaks convention by publicly criticising the US president at a press conference both are attending. [Shafik Mandhai/Al Jazeera]
This barb aimed at Theresa May refers to Hugh Grant's character in the 2003 romantic comedy Love Actually. In one scene, Grant, who plays a British prime minister, breaks convention by publicly criticising the US president at a press conference both are attending. [Shafik Mandhai/Al Jazeera]
Many of those protesting had links to the countries affected by the US travel ban. When asked what her sign meant, this woman said it was a Persian way of telling Trump to 'get lost'. [Shafik Mandhai/Al Jazeera]
Many of those protesting had links to the countries affected by the US travel ban. When asked what her sign meant, this woman said it was a Persian way of telling Trump to 'get lost'. [Shafik Mandhai/Al Jazeera]
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This placard mocks a false assertion by Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway that two Iraqi refugees had carried out a massacre at Bowling Green, Kentucky. No such event took place. [Shafik Mandhai/Al Jazeera]
This placard mocks a false assertion by Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway that two Iraqi refugees had carried out a massacre at Bowling Green, Kentucky. No such event took place. [Shafik Mandhai/Al Jazeera]
This protester suggests there are limits to the British tradition of resolving issues over a 'cup of tea'. [Shafik Mandhai/Al Jazeera]
This protester suggests there are limits to the British tradition of resolving issues over a 'cup of tea'. [Shafik Mandhai/Al Jazeera]
A prevailing theme on placards throughout the protest was the need for different communities to unite. [Shafik Mandhai/Al Jazeera]
A prevailing theme on placards throughout the protest was the need for different communities to unite. [Shafik Mandhai/Al Jazeera]
These men turned up to protest a series of comments by Trump on Mexico, including an accusation that immigrants from the country are rapists. [Shafik Mandhai/Al Jazeera]
These men turned up to protest a series of comments by Trump on Mexico, including an accusation that immigrants from the country are rapists. [Shafik Mandhai/Al Jazeera]
The march drew backing from many communities, including these LGBT activists. [Shafik Mandhai/Al Jazeera]
The march drew backing from many communities, including these LGBT activists. [Shafik Mandhai/Al Jazeera]
These American women were eager to point out that many of their compatriots were also demonstrating against the ban. [Shafik Mandhai/Al Jazeera]
These American women were eager to point out that many of their compatriots were also demonstrating against the ban. [Shafik Mandhai/Al Jazeera]

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