Activists plan anti-Trump protests across the UK during state visit

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Protesters against the visit of US President Donald Trump gather with placards at a barrier set up to block access to the US ambassador’s residence Winfield House in Regents Park in London on July 12, 2018 where Trump is set to spend the night on the first day of a UK visit. (AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMEN)

Tens of thousands of protesters are set to take to the streets during U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to the U.K. CGTN’s Kate Parkinson filed this report from London to find out what kind of reception Trump can expect.

At campaign headquarters, activists were making final preparations for their anti-Trump protests.  The “Stop Trump Coalition” planned what it described as a “Carnival of Resistance,” with protests taking place across the country. These protests started as soon as the U.S. president landed in the U.K.

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On the other side of town, another group of activists were inflating a giant balloon, depicting Trump as a snarling baby, complete with tiny hands and a nappy.

Officials had initially denied the group permission to fly their “Trump Baby” blimp. However, after more than 10,000 people signed a petition, the balloon’s flight was approved. The giant “Trump Baby” will fly over parliament on Friday, when Trump is meeting British Prime Minister Theresa May.

In this photo taken on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, a six-meter high cartoon baby blimp of U.S. President Donald Trump stands inflated during a practice session in Bingfield Park, north London. Trump will get the red carpet treatment on his brief visit to England that begins Thursday (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

British political band Captain SKA have released a Trump-remix of their hit song “Liar Liar,” which the group said was originally about Theresa May.

President Trump is largely avoiding the capital and steering clear of the demonstrations. However, protest organizers said their message will still get through.

U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump step off Air Force One as they arrive at London’s Stansted Airport, Thursday, July 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

“I am absolutely sure that he will be watching it and looking at it and I am sure he will tell us what he thinks on Twitter. But in many ways I don’t care so much what he thinks,” Nick Dearden of the “Stop Trump Coalition” said.

“What I care about it that those who are on the front line of protesting against him in America feel that they have support around the world – they’re in the firing line – and also that our own government doesn’t feel it’s acceptable to normalize and legitimize the way Trump talks and the types of things he’s done in the way that Theresa May has done.”

Around 100,000 people are expected at Friday’s main, anti-Trump protest. The British government is rolling out the red carpet for the U.S. president, but on the streets, he’ll be getting a far less welcoming reception.

Protesters against the visit of US President Donald Trump gather with placards at a barrier set up to block access to the US ambassador’s residence Winfield House in Regents Park in London on July 12, 2018 where Trump is set to spend the night on the first day of a UK visit. (AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMEN)