Protest groups urge Swinney to boycott Trump visit to Scotland
Campaign groups planning a “festival of resistance” to coincide with Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to Scotland have called on First Minister John Swinney not to meet with the US president, whose authoritarian administration has links to the far-right across the UK and Europe.
With Trump expected to arrive in Aberdeen between July 25–29, trade unions, disability rights activists, climate justice campaigners, Palestinian and Ukrainian solidarity groups, and American diaspora organisations are among those now organising multiple days of events to give him a fitting welcome.
The programme, to be launched shortly, will include a demonstration in Aberdeen city centre from noon on 26 July – but campaigners warn they are prepared to respond to Trump’s agenda and stand ready to meet him with loud protest wherever he goes on his visit to Scotland.
A spokesperson for Stop Trump Scotland said:
“The people of Scotland don’t want to roll out a welcome mat for Donald Trump, whose government is accelerating the spread of climate breakdown and fascism around the world.
“Trump has stripped millions of Americans of their rights, in particular women, people from migrant and ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBT+ people, disabled people and those on low incomes — all while slashing taxes for the ultra-rich.
“He has repeatedly extorted America’s closest allies, including the UK, with his tariff warfare, while cosying up to wanted war criminals like Benjamin Netanyahu and Vladimir Putin.
“And, of course, people in Scotland who simply wanted to live in peace near what is now his vanity project golf course have experienced Trump’s abusive and high-handed behaviour first-hand, long before he first entered the White House.
“Scots stand in solidarity with brave protesters like those in Los Angeles, who have stood up against the ICE thugs sent to snatch their neighbours from the streets and detain them in horrific prisons like ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ or deport them to countries at random, like El Salvador.
“We stand in solidarity with the Palestinians who will not be forced out of Gaza so that Trump’s ‘Riviera of the Middle East’ can be built on its mass graves, and with the Ukrainians who bravely continue their fight for self-determination in spite of American betrayals.
“As ordinary Scots face a continued cost-of-living crisis, it is unacceptable that they are being forced to pay for Trump’s security during what is a private visit. Scotland is not his playground.
“We encourage all those who can to come to Aberdeen to show Trump exactly what we think of him in Scotland — and those who can’t should join demonstrations wherever they are.
“Even if Keir Starmer bends the knee to Trump, John Swinney should stand with the people of Scotland and say no to a humiliating photo opportunity with the leader of the international far-right.”
ENDS
Editor’s notes
The Stop Trump Coalition, which recently announced plans for major demonstrations when Trump returns to the UK for his formal state visit in September, is offering support to local civic and political groups ahead of his imminent visit to Aberdeen. For queries or interviews, contact press@stoptrump.org.uk