Thousands protest against Trump's visit in central London

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Protesters against Donald Trump flew a giant inflatable blimp depicting the U.S. president as a pouting baby in a diaper outside the British parliament in London on the second day of his official visit to the country.

The six-meter (20 foot) -high blimp was raised in Parliament Square at 0900 GMT. It is due to be airborne when Trump holds talks with the outgoing British Prime Minister Theresa May nearby in Downing Street.

U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump meet Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband Philip at Downing Street, as part of his state visit in London, Britain, June 4, 2019. /Reuters Photo

Trump and his wife Melania arrived on Monday for a three-day state visit – a pomp-laden affair that involved a banquet at Buckingham Palace on Monday evening.

Leo Murray, the co-creator of the blimp, said: "We're trying to remind the president how unwelcome he is in this country. We're also, in a light-hearted way, trying to articulate the strength of feeling against Donald Trump and his politics of hate."

The demonstrators have received tactical support from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, who has repeatedly clashed with the president and who gave permission to fly the blimp.

Demonstrators take part in an anti-Trump protest in London, Britain, June 4, 2019. /Reuters Photo

The president called the mayor a "stone-cold loser" shortly before he arrived in Britain and has in the past accused him of failing to do enough to stop deadly terror attacks in London.

On Tuesday, the mayor said Trump was a poster boy for far-right activists all over the world, continuing a long-running spat with the U.S. president.

"Surely we should be saying 'listen, you know, you do realize you're a poster-boy for the far-right movement around the world," he told Sky News in an interview, citing Trump's policies on Muslims and immigration centers.

Meanwhile, thousands of protesters were expected to take part in a "Carnival of Resistance" in central London later in the day to voice their opposition to the president.

Environmental activists, anti-racism campaigners and women's rights protesters were among those due to take part. Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of Labour Party, was due to speak at the protest.

Police will close the road directly outside Downing Street to protect the president and his family.

Demonstrators take part in an anti-Trump protest in London, Britain, June 4, 2019. /Reuters Photo

In Britain, Trump's ban on travel to the United States from several primarily Muslim countries, the decision to withdraw the United States from a global deal to combat climate change, and his criticism of British politicians have helped stoke opposition to his presidency.

The state dinner held in the president's honor was boycotted by several lawmakers, including the leader of Britain Liberal Democrats as well as Corbyn and other senior Labour figures.

Britain's Princess Anne and U.S. White House Adviser Jared Kushner arrive through the East Gallery during the State Banquet, on day one of Trump's state visit, at Buckingham Palace, London, Britain, June 3, 2019. /Reuters Photo

Trump said he is "loved" in Britain despite the protests. He said he was closer to Britain than any other American leader, citing his mother's Scottish roots and the two golf courses he owns in the country.

"I don't imagine any U.S. president was ever closer to your great land," he told The Sun in an interview. "I think I am really – I hope – I am really loved in the UK. I certainly love the UK."

The protests are expected to build up later in the day when demonstrators begin gathering at Trafalgar Square at 10:00 GMT.

(Cover: "Baby Trump" balloon is seen next to a statue of Winston Churchill during an anti-Trump protest, when demonstrators take part in an anti-Trump protest in Trafalgar Square, London, Britain, June 4, 2019. /Reuters Photo)

Source(s): Reuters