Donald Trump faces angry protests on visit to Scotland
Donald Trump is facing a wall of angry protesters today on a visit to Scotland.
The Republican Presidential hopeful landed in Scotland today to open a Trump-branded golf course.
But the Republican has been met with a frosty reception from both protesters and politicians – with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon rejecting him over comments he made following the Orlando massacre.
Trump – who opposes transgender rights, would appoint justices to repeal equal marriage and opposes federal anti-discrimination protections – claimed in a speech after the massacre that he is a “real friend” of LGBT people, insisting a victory for Hillary Clinton would lead to the deaths of more gays.
Sturgeon said it was “not a secret” that she did not agree with Trump ahead of the visit, warning: “Some of Donald Trump’s comments in the last couple of days, I think, should make everyone pause for serious thought.”
Ahead of the visit, Trump praised the UK’s decision to leave the EU, writing on Facebook: “The people of the United Kingdom have exercised the sacred right of all free people’s [sic].”
He added: “They have declared their independence from the European Union, and have voted to reassert control over their own politics, borders and economy.
“A Trump Administration pledges to strengthen our ties with a free and independent Britain, deepening our bonds in commerce, culture and mutual defense.
“The whole world is more peaceful and stable when our two countries – and our two peoples – are united together, as they will be under a Trump Administration.”
As Trump arrived at the Trump Turnberry hotel and golf course in Ayrshire, he was met by a wave of hostile protesters who branded him a “bigot” and a racist.
Keir McKechnie of Stand Up to Racism Scotland said: “His message of hate is one that we’ll challenge and we would not encourage anyone to support him in his presidency.
BJ Davies on Twitter
Trump protest turnberypic.twitter.com/6yzCYKx5tj
“Although this protest happens to be taking place in Scotland, we want to represent people across the whole of the UK and beyond who reject Trump’s racism and Islamophobia.”
Local businesses near to the course have also erected large Mexican flags “to show solidarity with the Mexican people” against Mr Trump.
