Thousands protest in US, Europe over Trump travel ban
From London and Paris to New York and Washington, thousands of people took to the streets to protest US President Donald Trump's travel ban amid a fierce legal battle over the order.
By : migrator
Update: 2017-02-05 14:57 GMT
New York
The biggest demonstration by far took place in the British capital, where an estimated 10,000 people turned out, chanting "Theresa May: Shame on You" to denounce the British prime minister's support for the new US leader.
Brandishing placards declaring "No to scapegoating Muslims" and "Socialism not Trumpism," the protesters marched from the US embassy toward May's Downing Street office.
In an executive order issued on January 27, Trump slapped a blanket ban on nationals of seven mainly Muslim countries - Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen - barring their entry to the United States for 90 days.
Refugees were also barred from entry for 120 days, except those from Syria, who were blocked indefinitely.
On Friday, a US federal judge temporarily suspended the ban, a move which the Republican president vowed to fight.
The Justice Department appealed the block on the travel ban but a federal appeals court rejected any immediate move to reinstate it.
"We'll win. For the safety of the country, we'll win," Trump told reporters ahead of the appeals court decision.
About 3,000 people demonstrated in Trump's hometown of New York where protests against the property magnate-turned-world leader take place almost daily.
Activists and supporters gathered outside the Stonewall Inn, a landmark of the gay rights movement in Greenwich Village, to show support for Muslims and others affected by Trump's immigration order.
Democratic Senate minority leader Charles Schumer led the crowd - which carried rainbow flags and Americans flags - in cheers of "Dump Trump."
In Washington, hundreds marched from the White House to Capitol Hill.
"Donald, Donald can't you see, we don't want you in DC," chanted the demonstrators in the largely Democratic-leaning US capital.
"I was born and raised here and for the first time in my life, I don't feel safe," said Abu Bakkar, 26, whose parents are originally from Pakistan.
The Department of Defence consultant said the new president "has revealed hate that's been underground for so long. He has divided one of the greatest countries in the world."
At least 2,000 people marched near Trump's Florida golf club as the president and First Lady Melania Trump attended a Red Cross gala at his Mar-a-Lago estate.
In Hong Kong, hundreds of expatriate workers marched through the city center on Sunday to protest the "tyrannical and fascist" ban, in the Asian hub's first major protest against Trump.
Many were women from the Philippines and Indonesia employed in Hong Kong as domestic workers. Protesters chanted, "US imperialist, number one terrorist!"
"We are very worried that what Donald Trump is doing will also be adopted by other states who believe that their nation is the greatest nation without the migrants," activist and domestic worker Eni Lestari said outside the US Consulate General.
Visit news.dtnext.in to explore our interactive epaper!
Download the DT Next app for more exciting features!
Click here for iOS
Click here for Android