250K turn out for Trump protest in London during president’s visit

An estimated 250,000 people took to the streets of London on Friday to protest President Trump’s visit to the United Kingdom, according to The London Evening Standard.

Stop Trump, the group that organized the demonstration, announced the turnout to the Evening Standard.

CNBC had reported earlier that between 50,000 and 100,000 were expected to take part in the marches. 

250,000 people are protesting #togetheragainsttrump in central London right now! #resist #carnivalofresistance #UKtrumpvisit pic.twitter.com/bTacIgyvpT

— Stop Trump (@UKStopTrump) July 13, 2018

The protests came during Trump’s four-day visit to the U.K. — his first as president and one that is expected to be met with more than 60 scheduled protests. 

Demonstrators gathered in London early Friday morning, carrying signs that read “Dump Trump” and “Star Spangled Gobs***”.

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The day also began with the highly anticipated Trump baby blimp being flown over Parliament square. 

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn addressed protesters at a rally in Trafalgar Square, The Standard reported.

“We are asserting our right to demonstrate, our right to free speech,” he said.

Trump had reportedly said that he felt “unwelcome” in London before his visit, opting to avoid the city for much of his trip. 

“I used to love London as a city,” Trump told The Sun, a conservative tabloid owned by Rupert Murdoch. “I haven’t been there in a long time. But when they make you feel unwelcome, why would I stay there?

“I guess when they put out blimps to make me feel unwelcome, no reason for me to go to London,” he added. 

Trump’s schedule will keep him in mostly rural areas during his visit. The move was reportedly made to avoid large-scale protests.

Still, protests have been planned in several parts of the region.

An English marketing agency created a crop circle with the message, “F— Trump,” written in Russian along his helicopter path during his visit in Chequers.