Hundreds of activists took to the streets of Aberdeen and Edinburgh on Saturday, turning a routine five-day visit by U.S. President Donald Trump into a loud display of dissent. From climate concerns to calls for justice over Gaza, protesters made sure their voices were heard.
Around the Trump Turnberry resort in South Ayrshire, Scottish police staged one of their most complex security operations in years. Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond described the preparations as "significant," citing past threats and last year’s assassination attempt when outlining the high-stakes logistics behind the heavy police presence.
Social media buzzed with protests in real time. The UK Stop Trump Coalition’s TikTok clips captured crowds chanting slogans against the former president’s latest golfing getaway. Placards reading "FELON 47 NOT WELCOME HERE" and images linking Trump to Jeffrey Epstein underscored the protesters’ grievances.
Near the William Wallace statue in central Aberdeen, speakers from the Scottish Green Party, climate activists, and minority rights advocates rallied the crowd. Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie and members of the Scotland Against Trump alliance highlighted a range of global issues, from environmental justice to humanitarian crises.
"We're here to oppose politics of division and to remind the world that communities across Britain stand in solidarity with those fighting for human rights," said Kirsty Haigh of the Scotland Against Trump alliance. Her message resonated with demonstrators who traveled from across the UK to join the movement.
As President Trump moves between his events, the protests in Scotland reflect a broader trend: global citizens are leveraging both on-the-ground action and digital platforms to influence political narratives—from G20 summits to local visits. For now, the streets of Aberdeen and Edinburgh have become the latest stage for this unfolding story of civic engagement.
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Hundreds protest Trump's visit to Scotland amid heavy security
cgtn.com
