ANGER continued to rage last night over Donald Trump’s travel ban on seven Muslim-majority countries as thousands of people took to the streets from Downing Street to Aberdeen.
Demonstrations were held in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen and across the UK as the US President continued to claim the weekend travel chaos in America had nothing to do with his executive order, and was caused by an airline computer system failure.
The SNP’s Westminster leader Angus Robertson said in London that the ban went against the “shared values of equality, tolerance, and sanctuary for those in need” that formed the basis of Scotland’s longstanding friendship with the US.
“Whenever these values are under threat it falls to progressive politicians to speak out – but while Nicola Sturgeon and other world leaders made their views clear, Theresa May remained silent,” said Robertson.
“The weak and delayed response from the UK Government is a matter of national shame that undermines our commitment to human rights and damages our standing in the world.
“While this ban remains in place it would simply be wrong for President Trump to make a state visit to the UK. Theresa May must finally listen to the public, and MPs from across the political parties, and communicate directly to President Trump our strong opposition to this policy.”
In the Commons, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson accused Labour of seeking “demonise” Trump’s administration over the ban, amid calls for him to explain why it took several hours for the UK to clarify the policy’s implications. Johnson claimed the UK Government’s “energetic action” had resulted in an exemption for UK passport holders, dual nationals or otherwise.
“I think most fair-minded people would say that that actually showed the advantages of working closely with the Trump administration and the advantages of having a relationship that enables us to get our point across and to get the vital protections for UK passport holders that they need,” he said.
One anti-racism campaigner told The National how she was in Glasgow City Council on Holocaust Memorial Day, watching young people give presentations, and kept seeing parallels between Nazi Germany and Trump’s sentiments.
Nicola Hay, from Show the Racism Red Card, said the travel ban broke her heart: “It feels as though I am watching history repeat itself. Then… Trump issued a ban on seven Muslim-majority nations and my heart broke.
“It feels as though if he is allowed to continue we will awaken one day in a post-Christian crusade dystopia where science, progress and equality no longer exist and all we will be left with is the Ministry of Hate. The legacy of Trump.”
Fuad Alakbarov, of Glasgow Campaign to Welcome refugees, added: “The Muslim ban plays to the worst motives of fear, xenophobia and racism. And the fact that Donald Trump did it on Holocaust Memorial Day is disgusting and vile.
“A ban on immigrants and refugees does not protect the nation; it attacks its image and its values.”
Scotland Against Trump, the group that organised marches and demonstrations when he visited Scotland last year, pledged to step up its campaign.
Demonstrations last night called for an end to the ban, cancellation of the state visit to the UK, a welcome for refugees here and to keep Trump out of Scotland.
In Glasgow, around 3,000 people gathered at Donald Dewar’s statue to hear condemnation of Trump’s policy and Theresa May’s acquiescence.
Jonathon Shafi, a spokesman for the group, said: “This is just the start of a sustained campaign that will mobilise the overwhelming opposition to Trump’s policies. This evening’s demonstration is about putting a line in the sand over the Muslim ban.
“We will not stop fighting until it is repealed. We back the nationwide petition which over a million have already signed opposing the Trump state visit.
“We want a complete break from the Trump regime – and an end the so-called special relationship. Theresa May has cemented her position, which is to work hand-in-hand with Donald Trump.”
Kirsty Haigh, an organiser of the Edinburgh protest, added: “Trump is trying to create a new normal where racism and bigotry are accepted as part of everyday life. It’s encouraging that thousands of people are willing to come out, take a stand and say this will not be our normal.”
Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson called on Trump to rescind his travel ban, describing it as “simply wrong”.
Speaking in Glasgow, she said: “I think at base, myself and many other people across the globe, including former Republican vice-president Dick Cheney, our solution would be for this executive order to be rescinded.”
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said there should be no state visit until the ban is lifted.
“One week into his presidency, Donald Trump is so far living up to our worst fears. He must be told in no uncertain terms that the vast majority of people of Scotland and the United Kingdom are repulsed and hurt by his actions,” she said.
The ban was criticised in an emergency motion lodged at Holyrood by Labour MSP Pauline McNeill, which expressed Parliament’s “deep concern”.
The Rev Dr Russell Barr, Moderator of the Church of Scotland’s General Assembly, said the ban horrified him.
“History is littered with instances in which human distrust, xenophobia and discrimination has sewn hatred and conflict; our own desire for self-preservation taken at the exclusion of others,” he said.
“And yet throughout history the Bible has called Christians to live beyond hatred and fear, demonstrating a radical hospitality where the stranger finds welcome and refuge is provided for those who are oppressed.”
The charity Christian Aid said a rejection of refugees was a rejection of Christian values, and Trump should “read his bible”.
Tom Viita, its head of advocacy, said: “At the heart of the Christian faith is a clear command to ‘love the stranger’ and to stand with the vulnerable, whoever they may be. A rejection of refugees, whatever their faith, is a rejection of Christian values. Trump would do well to read his bible before enacting discriminatory policies.”
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