Thousands of Donald Trump's opponents gathered outside the British parliament on Monday to protest against a planned state visit while lawmakers debated whether the new U.S. president should be given a lavish meeting with Queen Elizabeth.
Britain invited Trump to visit later this year as Prime Minister Theresa May's government seeks to reaffirm the so called "special relationship" with the United States and secure a trade deal as it prepares to leave the European Union.
The planned visit, announced just hours before Trump signed a controversial executive order on immigration, has crystallised opposition in Britain, spurring 1.8 million people to sign a petition saying he should not be afforded the honour of a state visit because it could embarrass the Queen.
As parliament debated that petition on Monday - a symbolic discussion which has no power to force the government to withdraw its invitation - crowds gathered outside with placards bearing slogans such as "Dump Trump, Fight Bigotry".
"It's about the rise of hate and extremism, which is personified by Trump. It's not just about him, but he represents what's happening in the world at the moment," protestor Alison Dale, 61, told Reuters.
"The invitation was kneejerk, and made us look desperate. Now we're leaving the European Union, it's clear we're just desperate for trade deals, and we look weak."
Since taking office in January, Trump has sparked global protests over immigration policies which sought to ban migrants from seven Muslim-majority countries, and from women activists who said his campaign rhetoric and behaviour was misogynistic.
Trump has repeatedly said his immigration orders are aimed at protecting the United States and that his opponents have misrepresented his intentions in an attempt to discredit his administration.
Prime Minister May has made it clear that she will not consider cancelling the visit, but managing the backlash adds to her diplomatic 'to-do' list as she sets about reuniting a country divided over Brexit and negotiating an amicable divorce with European trading partners.
Earlier this month, a spokesman for the White House said Trump was looking forward to visiting "the great people of the UK in the future" and that he "places tremendous value in the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom".
SOFT POWER
The debate, hosted in a packed side room of parliament rather than the main debating chamber, gave lawmakers a platform to air their views on Trump.
"It's difficult to know whether to be appalled at the morality of this invitation, or just astonished at the stupidity of the invitation," said Scottish National Party lawmaker Alex Salmond. Previously Trump has clashed with Salmond over his investments in Scotland.
Critics focused on accusations of sexism and referred to his immigration policies, while other lawmakers argued Trump should come to Britain, but should not be given the high honour of a state visit, which would involve lavish displays of royal pageantry and a banquet hosted by Queen Elizabeth.
Some lawmakers argued it was right for Trump to be given the honour of a state visit.
"He is definitively different," said Crispin Blunt, head of parliament's Foreign Affairs committee, who said the visit should be delayed until 2020.
"In an exercise of pressing the right buttons to engage him, I think dangling a state visit in front of a half-Scottish president of the United States whose mother had an immense attachment to the country was a very successful use of the kind of soft power that the United Kingdom has."
Reuters
Mon Feb 20 2017
![Trump opponents protest outside UK parliament as lawmakers debate planned visit Trump opponents protest outside UK parliament as lawmakers debate planned visit](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2017-02/51487645140_Trump.jpg)
A demonstrator dressed as the Statue of Liberty takes part in a protest against U.S. President Donald Trump in London, Britain February 20, 2017. REUTERS/Toby Melville
10 Berita Pilihan - (15 Ogos 2024)
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
Pasukan PBB lawat Bangladesh, siasat pembunuhan protes pelajar
Pasukan penyiasat Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB) akan melawat Bangladesh minggu depan untuk menyiasat ratusan kematian semasa protes yang diketuai pelajar baru-baru ini, menurut pegawai badan dunia itu pada Khamis.
Gempa bumi bermagnitud 5.7 gegar timur laut Taiwan
Gempa bumi berukuran 5.7 skala richter melanda daerah Timur Laut Taiwan pada Khamis.
Angka kematian di Gaza cecah 40,000 individu
Pasukan tentera Israel melakukan tiga pembunuhan beramai-ramai terhadap keluarga-keluarga di Semenanjung Gaza dalam tempoh 24 jam lepas, mengakibatkan sekurang-kurangnya 40 rakyat Palestin terbunuh dan 107 lagi cedera, menurut sumber perubatan.
Jepun tamatkan amaran gempa bumi mega
Dalam tempoh berjaga-jaga, Agensi Meteorologi Jepun tidak melihat sebarang pergerakan gempa bumi yang luar biasa atau kerak bumi.
Rakyat UK terancam dengan imigran rampas peluang pekerjaan
Bimbang golongan imigran akan merampas peluang peluang pekerjaan menjadikan rakyat United KIngdom terutamanya mereka yang mempunyai masalah ekonomi melihat imigran sebagai satu ancaman.
Parti Pheu Thai pilih anak perempuan Thaksin calon PM
Paetongtarn, 37, adalah anak perempuan kepada jutawan yang juga bekas Perdana Menteri Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra.
Pemilihan anak Thaksin sebagai PM Thailand dianggap tidak efektif
Pemilihan anak perempuan bekas Perdana Menteri Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, untuk menggantikan Srettha Thavisin sebagai Perdana Menteri negara itu dianggap sebagai tidak efektif.
![Angka kematian di seluruh Semenanjung Gaza meningkat kepada 40,005, lebih 92,401 cedera Angka kematian di seluruh Semenanjung Gaza meningkat kepada 40,005, lebih 92,401 cedera](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81723343252_Palestiniansmourn.jpg)
Angka kematian di seluruh Semenanjung Gaza meningkat kepada 40,005, lebih 92,401 cedera
Perkhidmatan kecemasan masih tidak dapat membantu ramai mangsa dan membawa keluar mayat yang terperangkap di bawah runtuhan.
DNA mangsa kebakaran di Pagoh diperoleh, jenazah dijangka dikebumikan esok
Polis mengesahkan telah menerima laporan ujian asid deoksiribonukleik (DNA) dua mayat mangsa yang rentung dalam kebakaran rumah di Kampung Paya Redan, Pagoh, Johor Jumaat lepas.