Trump protest on Bristol Bridge

On the day of Donald Trump’s inauguration as 45th President of the United States, protesters gathered on Bristol Bridge to release messages of hope.

The large banner that read: “We are citizens of the world.” The message was shown next to a colourful map of the world, highlighting the message of unity

Bridges Not Walls, who take their name from a speech by Martin Luther King, are the organisation behind more than 150 banner-drops across the UK today and more than 200 others across the world.

The peaceful protests were started on Friday morning on London’s Tower Bridge, and hope to encourage solidarity in opposition to Trump’s scare-mongering politics. 

Homemade banners were also on show to protest Trump’s inauguration.

The Bristol protest was organised by the Green Party, with local Green councillors, prospective MPs and newly confirmed metro mayor candidate Darren Hall in attendance.

Lorraine Francis, standing as the Green Party candidate in the Bristol East constituency, said: “We all have a right to move around, to migrate or emigrate. It is outrageous that we have one of the most powerful countries in the world inaugurating a man with the most vicious views and offensive opinions.”

Ashley councillor Jude English added: “It’s about peace, cooperation and love. We don’t want to demonise people who come into this country looking for work or safety.”

Various activist groups joined the protests. Klina Jordan from Make Votes Matter – a cross-party campaign pushing to introduce proportional representation – said: “It’s about making it clear that many people don’t believe in the ideology Trump is trying to push.

“This is affirmative positive action, saying that refugees are welcome, we’re all the same.

“Trump had almost three million fewer votes than Hillary Clinton. Whatever you think of his politics, that’s not democracy.”

Bridges Not Walls spokesperson Nona Hurkmans said: “On Trump’s inauguration day we’re taking action to show our support for groups under attack – here in the UK, across Europe and in the USA – and to reject the rise of a dangerous and divisive far right politics.

“We won’t let the politics of hate peddled by the likes of Donald Trump take hold. What happens next is up to us and by standing together we can show that the rhetoric of fear and hate have no place in our society.”

Green councillor for Cotham, Cleo Lake, added: “Whilst we may focus on the speculative negatives of Donald Trump, I think it’s really important to reflect and think what we can do within our families and our communities to build bridges and to come together in these difficult times.”

Another protest took place in Easton on Friday with painted banners declaring “Love Trumps Hate” and “Migrants Welcome”.

Read more: ‘The election of Trump could be a good thing’