We publish here a further set of reports and videos from the enormous protests against Trump and his reactionary policies – mass demonstrations that have erupted in cities and towns across the country, with thousands of radicalised students and young workers coming onto the streets against Trump and the Tories, and in solidarity with migrants and the oppressed everywhere.
We publish here a further set of reports and videos from the enormous protests against Trump and his reactionary policies – mass demonstrations that have erupted in cities and towns across the country, with thousands of radicalised students and young workers coming onto the streets against Trump and the Tories, and in solidarity with migrants and the oppressed everywhere.
See this previous report for more videos, pictures, and accounts from the protests earlier this week.
Join Socialist Appeal supporters on the demonstrations against Trump this Saturday, in London and other major cities.
Cambridge
On 30th January, in Cambridge, a generally less politically active city, approximately 1,400 people came to demonstrate their discontent – not just with Donald Trump’s anti-women, anti-refugee, anti-immigrant and plainly reactionary agenda, but also Theresa May’s compliance with this agenda.
A Marxist student comrade took to the microphone and asserted that, “Theresa May and Donald Trump: they both work for the interests of the capitalist class…”. This immediately received an uproar of applause from the gathered crowd. The comrade stated that “Trump is a symptom of the capitalist system…the only way to see racism gone, sexism gone, oppression gone, is to have a socialist revolution” – which again received a loud applause.
It is extremely positive and uplifting to see people so encouraged when Marxist ideas are put forward. One woman even leapt up from sitting down, both fists raised in the air at the mention of socialist revolution! People are clearly being radicalised and now is the time to press on in Cambridge, in Britain, and internationally.
Sammy Meikle, Cambridge Marxists
Brighton
The crowds in Brighton were unexpectedly large given the very short notice for the protest against Trump and his reactionary and unconstitutional travel ban. According to Brighton and Hove News, numbers swelled to at least 2,000 at their peak. On the ground, it could be seen that the demo was very diverse, with participants aged 8 to 80 and of varying nationality.
Though this is nominally a US issue, the people of Brighton showed the importance of international solidarity with immigrants and refugees, and opposition to Trump’s abhorrent policies. Whilst there were no speeches at the Brighton rally and march, the crowd made their anger with Theresa May’s silence on the subject known through a variety of pithy placards and scathing chants. Many also drew the connections between Trump’s xenophobia and other related issues, with signs proclaiming that refugees are welcome here and also calling for the closure of the Yarl’s Wood detention centre, located just outside of Bedford.
Though mainly based outside Brighton Town Hall, some time before 8pm the crowd began to move and progress along a path through the heart of the shopping district. The shoppers were minimal due to the hour and the inclement weather – and perhaps because they were on the march instead. However, the smokers outside the pubs were jovially swaying in time to the drumbeat of the crowd and the bus drivers honked their horns in solidarity with the throng. The march then moved into a slightly more residential area where it was met with further enthusiasm from young children and their parents, who came out of their homes to show their support.
All in all, the mood was one of boisterous frustration, yet also of optimism at the sight of such determined mass resistance.
Sarah McIntosh, Sussex Marxists
Norwich
In Norwich, the demonstration against Trump’s divisive and Islamophobic immigration policy was defined by two things: a widespread anger with the system; and a lack of any alternative. A crowd of 1000 demonstrators listened to speakers from an array of political organisations, staying in good spirits despite the cold weather.
The protest was not dominated by one demographic or organisation, showing how opposed people from all walks of life are to Trump – the brutal face of capitalism. Speakers from the Greens, Stand up to Racism, Movement for Justice, and many more all railed against the excesses of Trump’s administration to the crowd’s delight. However, the various speakers failed to provide any real answers.
The absence of a serious analysis of the reasons behind Trump’s election and a lack of solutions left the demonstration feeling somewhat lacking. A socialist response to Trump’s bigotry and discrimination would’ve been well received; the failure to have one was disappointing.
Josh Ralph, UEA Marxists
Reading
The town of Reading is not known for its radical politics, and is rarely home to any demonstrations or protests. However, the anger against Trump and his reactionary policies is such that even this traditionally sleepy town saw a protest of around one hundred this week, with university and college students joining local residents and workers to demonstrate against the new US President and his Muslim Ban.
Despite the cold and rain, demonstrators chanted anti-Trump slogans for over an hour, with spirits buoyed by the turnout. With another day of action planned for 20th February, hopefully we will see more protests in Reading in near future.
Reading Marxists
