Scots have been urged to make the protest against this week’s Donald Trump visit the biggest the country has ever seen.
Three rallies are planned in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow on Friday and Saturday, with more likely to follow.
A vast coalition of politicians, unions and campaigners are calling for the public to rise up in protest at Trump’s presence here.
Protesters from the Scotland Against Trump group were on the streets of Glasgow and Edinburgh yesterday giving out leaflets condemning the US president.
They are angered by Trump’s racism, sexism and policies, which include separating children of asylum seekers from their parents and keeping youngsters in cages.
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said: “I would encourage everyone who holds values of decency and dignity to oppose his visit to Scotland.”
It was confirmed late on Friday that Trump and his wife Melania will head north of the border following a meeting with the Queen this Friday.
The presidential party will stay at his luxury golf resort at Turnberry. A visit to his other Scottish course at Menie, Aberdeenshire, has not been ruled out.
Police have been drafted in from across the UK to help beef up the security operation and keep Trump away from protesters during the visit.
Leonard added: “All of civic Scotland stands ready to tell Donald Trump that he and his politics are not welcome here.
“The sight of mothers separated from babies – and children caged like animals – has horrified people across the globe. We should not welcome the man responsible.
“It is my view, and that of the Scottish Labour Party, that someone who holds such misogynist, racist and anti-trade union views – not to mention his dangerous approach to foreign policy
and someone who rejects the Paris Climate Change Agreement – should not be given the ‘red carpet’ treatment.
“That is why Scottish Labour are helping to lead the Scotland United Against Trump campaign to ensure there is a mass protest with events in Glasgow and Edinburgh.”
Kathleen Kennedy, president of Aberdeen Trades Union Council, who are helping coordinate a further protest at Menie, said: “Since Trump became president, we’ve seen a worrying rollback of human rights, most recently in the separation of young children from their parents on the Mexico border.
“This comes on top of the discriminatory travel ban, his reckless announcement on Jerusalem and harmful policies on refugees, women’s rights and climate change.
“His visit to Britain will be an important opportunity to underline the…
