Bridges Not Walls Protests Held In London And Across The World To Oppose Donald Trump's Inauguration

'Rhetoric of fear and hate have no place in our society.'

Banners have been draped over iconic bridges across the UK and the rest of the world to protest Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration, with demonstrators championing “bridges not walls”.

More than 200 banners are being dropped across the world, including France, Australia, Nepal, the USA and Norway.

Westminster Bridge, the Millennium Bridge and Tower Bridge are just some of the landmarks in the nation’s capital now adorned with the slogans.

A banner is unfurled on London's Tower Bridge, organised by Bridges Not Walls.
A banner is unfurled on London's Tower Bridge, organised by Bridges Not Walls.
Matt Alexander/PA Wire
'Build bridges not walls' banned hangs over Tower Bridge.
'Build bridges not walls' banned hangs over Tower Bridge.
Matt Alexander/PA Wire

The London action is one of more than 150 planned in villages, towns and cities across the UK.

Just some of the #London #bridgesnotwalls banners this morning - actions are coming in from around the world! #Inauguration #j20 pic.twitter.com/VI9O1LvcoG

— Bridges Not Walls (@Bridgesnotwallz) January 20, 2017

#bridgesnotwalls on Blackfriars bridge - solidarity with migrants! pic.twitter.com/u6wijORpcr

— London Young Greens (@LondonYGs) January 20, 2017

Nona Hurkmans, Bridges Not Walls spokesperson, said in a statement: “On Trump’s inauguration day we’re taking action to show our support for groups under attack – here in the UK, across Europe and in the USA – and to reject the rise of a dangerous and divisive far right politics.

“We won’t let the politics of hate peddled by the likes of Donald Trump take hold.

“What happens next is up to us and by standing together we can show that the rhetoric of fear and hate have no place in our society.”

Westminster Bridge

Demonstrators hang a banner that reads 'Migrants Welcome Here' from Westminster Bridge.
Demonstrators hang a banner that reads 'Migrants Welcome Here' from Westminster Bridge.
Peter Nicholls / Reuters
Activists on Westminster Bridge.
Activists on Westminster Bridge.
Bridges Not Walls

Waterloo Bridge

Protesters on Waterloo Bridge.
Protesters on Waterloo Bridge.
Bridges Not Walls

London Bridge

Demonstrators hang a banner that reads "No To Silence On UK Violence" from London Bridge.
Demonstrators hang a banner that reads "No To Silence On UK Violence" from London Bridge.
Toby Melville / Reuters

Millennium Bridge

Demonstrators on Millennium Bridge.
Demonstrators on Millennium Bridge.
Bridges Not Walls
Activists drop a banner emblazoned with 'What Happens Next is Up to Us'.
Activists drop a banner emblazoned with 'What Happens Next is Up to Us'.
Bridges Not Walls

Vauxhall Bridge

Demonstrators hang a banner that reads "Queer Solidarity Smashes Borders" from Vauxhall Bridge during a protest against the inauguration of Donald Trump as U.S. President.
Demonstrators hang a banner that reads "Queer Solidarity Smashes Borders" from Vauxhall Bridge during a protest against the inauguration of Donald Trump as U.S. President.
Bridges Not Walls
Demonstrators hang a banner that reads 'Queer Solidarity Smashes Borders'.
Demonstrators hang a banner that reads 'Queer Solidarity Smashes Borders'.
Peter Nicholls / Reuters

Edinburgh

Demonstrators hang a banner at North Bridge during a protest against the inauguration of Donald Trump.
Demonstrators hang a banner at North Bridge during a protest against the inauguration of Donald Trump.
Russell Cheyne / Reuters

Ironbridge

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Machynlleth

First banner drop of the day ;-) #bridgesnotwalls Great turnout in #Machynlleth with Mid Wales Refugee Action #LoveTrumpsHate pic.twitter.com/8KEZEga1uI

— Alice Hooker-Stroud (@AliceGreenParty) January 20, 2017

Leeds

Brightening up a gloomy day in Leeds #bridgesnotwalls pic.twitter.com/SC7XsSqAfX

— Phil Steel (@PhilJSteel) January 20, 2017

Bridges across the world:

INCREDIBLE to see his wave of defiant love & solidarity sweeping the globe today! #BridgesNotWalls #blacklivesmatter #Inauguration pic.twitter.com/3XN1ezDw8S

— Mya Pope-Weidemann (@MariennaPW) January 20, 2017

New Zealand kicks off January 20 with love and solidarity from Auckland Harbor Bridge! Thanks @bunmcd and @GreenpeaceNZ! #BridgesNotWalls pic.twitter.com/FgRfQmWyIs

— Greenpeace USA (@greenpeaceusa) January 20, 2017

#bridgesnotwalls in Kathmandu pic.twitter.com/3aN0ubTYxT

— Emily Delap (@emily_delap) January 20, 2017

Solidarity, Love and Resistance from San Francisco, California! We stand for #BridgesNotWalls! Join us! >> https://t.co/UNT2n2ayCW pic.twitter.com/TeTQMiuV4u

— Greenpeace USA (@greenpeaceusa) January 20, 2017

Across the world, people are sending a message to build a peaceful, just, and green world. Join #BridgesNotWalls! https://t.co/M6dyceSz5M pic.twitter.com/L1jOGgWuU8

— Greenpeace (@Greenpeace) January 20, 2017

The Bridges not Walls initiative was launched by Will Stevens in the aftermath of the US election result.

It is now being backed by a growing number of activist groups, community groups and larger campaign organisations who share anxiety about recent political events both here and in the US.

Zrinka Bralo, chief executive of Migrants Organise, said: “We stand in solidarity with colleagues and friends in the US. We have all read reports of an increase in hate attacks.

“The emergence of neo-Nazis and white supremacists is scary; the attempt to normalise what is going on is even scarier. We have the responsibility to fight against attempts to divide us.

“Our shared values of justice, respect for dignity, human rights and the truth must shine through these difficult times.”

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