British politicians and campaigners speak out against a Trump state visit as he marks 100 days as US president
Stand Up To Trump
Trump has been president for 100 days
MPs serving in the outgoing Parliament have been joined by other prominent politicians in a statement published this week expressing their continued opposition to Donald Trump being given the honour of a state visit to Britain, as the US President marks 100 days in office this Saturday.
Prominent signatories to the statement saying that “Racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism, sexism, misogyny, homophobia, war mongering, climate change denial, attacks on human rights or policies that will deepen poverty and inequality should not be rewarded or celebrated by our government” include Diane Abbott MP, Dennis Skinner MP, David Lammy MP and Baroness Kinnock.
Maz Saleem, spokesperson for Stand Up to Trump, said “Trump has already committed numerous war crimes and has massively escalated the bombing in the Middle East – his warmongering is a threat to the entire world. – He has pursued a racist, Islamophobic and otherwise bigoted agenda home and abroad.”
She added, “It is vital that we build a broad and sustained movement that maintains the opposition to Trump. Our primary goal is to build the pressure for a cancellation of the State Visit, but if it does goes ahead, we will be ready to mobilise on a massive scale.”
Commenting on Trump’s first 100 days in office, Sabby Dhalu, Joint Secretary of Stand Up to Racism, said: “With the Muslim ban, Mexican wall, failing to condemn anti-Semitism and insidious proposals such as the “Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement”, Donald Trump’s administration is dripping with racism, Islamophobia and anti-Semitism. Racist and misogynistic attacks are on the rise in the US – it is these attacks that need to be monitored. Thankfully the American people are rising up against Trump’s presidency. We stand in solidarity with these people and all those mobilising against Trump across the globe.”
Lindsey German, Convenor of the Stop the War Coalition added, “Trump has launched new attacks on Yemen, Afghanistan and Syria. Thousands have been killed and injured through US bombing of Mosul. He now threatens potential nuclear war over Korea. Trump is a dangerous warmonger and his special relationship with Britain must be broke.”
Notes:
1. The statement text and current list of signatories is as follows:
It is deeply regrettable that Theresa May is determined to press ahead with according US President Donald Trump a state visit, ignoring the views of millions of British people.
Racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism, sexism, misogyny, homophobia, war mongering, climate change denial, attacks on human rights or policies that will deepen poverty and inequality should not be rewarded or celebrated by our government.
Most people in Britain want no part of it. We will continue to oppose this state visit – it is not in our name.
Signed: Diane Abbott MP, David Anderson MP, Kelvin Hopkins MP, David Lammy MP,, Dennis Skinner MP, Cat Smith MP, Lucy Anderson MEP, Neil Findlay MSP, Baroness Glenys Kinnock and Lord Martin O’Neill. (It has been published here.)
2. Organisations supporting Stand Up to Trump include: Abortion Rights • Alliance for Free Movement • Campaign Against Climate Change • Communication Workers Union • Day-Mer • Friends of Al Aqsa •Momentum • Morning Star • Muslim Association of Britain • Muslim Engagement and Development • National Assembly of Women • National Union of Teachers • People’s Assembly Against Austerity • Rainbow Coalition • Stand Up To Racism • Stop the War Coalition • Unite the Union and the University and College Union.
3. Campaigners against Trump plan to continue to collect signatories from MPs to the statement once Parliament reconvenes after the June General Election and have organised 100,000s of people to pledge to march against Trump if he comes to Britain.
Source: Stand Up To Trump
