LONDON: Trump’s controversial immigration bars citizens from seven Muslim-majority nations from entering the US has prompted an online petition to stop him from making an official state visit to Britain, a regal and glitzy affair which involves formalities such as a royal banquet in the Buckingham Palace Ballroom.
“Donald Trump should be allowed to enter the UK in his capacity as head of the US government, but he should not be invited to make an official state visit because it would cause embarrassment to Her Majesty the Queen,” the petition on parliament’s website says.
Anger against President Trump has grown after he signed an executive order that imposed sweeping restrictions on some travelers to the country. Thousands of people are calling for ‘the biggest demonstration ever’ opposing Trump’s visit to Britain later this year.
By early Monday the petition to the British parliament had attracted almost 900,000 signatures.
Parliamentary petitions can be signed by anyone with a British postcode and those doing so are asked if they are a UK resident or citizen. Such petitions must be considered by lawmakers if they attract more than 100,000 signatures.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan called “President Trump’s ban on refugees and immigrants from certain countries is shameful and cruel.” Lib Dem leader Tim Farron, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and SNP foreign affairs spokesman Alex Salmond have all called for the trip to be axed.
Graham Guest, who started the petition in November, told the Press Association, “A state visit legitimises his presidency and he will use the photo opportunities and being seen with the Queen to get re-elected.
Writing a column for The Guardian, British author, commentator and political activist, Owen Jones said: “Donald Trump has imposed a ban on people from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the US. “That includes people who helped the US army. That includes people on holiday trying to get home via the United States. That includes people trying to be reunited with their dying parents.”
Mr Jones went on: “There are moments of terrible injustice throughout history where we look back and rightly ask – what did people do?
“Future generations will look back at the targeting of Muslims – as we look back at the targeting of Jews – with disgust, horror and shame. If we do not speak out, we are complicit.”
Trump’s executive order has already faced legal setbacks and lawyers around the country are massing in person and online to lend pro-bono support to those whose lives have been upended by the travel ban.
Watching the Trump petition rise by about 1,000 signatures a minute on the Parliament website. It's almost hypnotichttps://t.co/wRUcjG0SE5
— Alistair Coleman (@alistaircoleman) January 29, 2017
.@realDonaldTrump should not be welcomed to Britain while he abuses our shared values with shameful #MuslimBan & attacks on refugees & women
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) January 29, 2017
Well said @mo_farah – our values are of compassion and understanding. @theresa_may must stand up to Trump's hate. pic.twitter.com/XK7zgUmOvK
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) January 29, 2017
For those asking my view on US State visit: would be wrong for it to go ahead while bans on refugees & citizens of some countries in place.
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) January 29, 2017
The ban on Saturday created chaos and outrage around the world, while numerous travellers found their access to US territory blocked and protests were staged at several US airports.