Donald Trump angry baby balloon to fly over London during UK visit
The Trump baby blimp over the Palace of Westminster. Picture: Crowdfunder UK.
The Australian
7:54AM July 6, 2018
A giant balloon in the form of an orange, snarling baby Donald Trump is to fly over London next week as the US President meets the Queen and Prime Minister Theresa May.
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, who has clashed with Mr Trump over Islamophobia and terrorism, is risking causing a diplomatic incident after giving protesters permission to fly the blimp, saying he respected their right to engage in peaceful protest.
Activists had raised more than £17,300 ($AUD31,055) by last night to fund the balloon, a 6m high model of Mr Trump with tiny hands and wearing a nappy.
Britain regards its close ties with the US as a pillar of its foreign policy as it prepares to leave the European Union.
The Trump balloon as it would look flying over London. Picture: Crowdfunder UK.
But Mr Trump’s comments on militant attacks in Britain have sparked anger and protests are expected across London when he arrives for a three-day visit to the UK next Friday.
Over 10,000 people signed a petition in support of the balloon, which will fly for two hours on Friday, from 9.30am until 11.30am.
The balloon will be tethered to the ground in Parliament Square Gardens and won’t be able to float higher than 30m.
Nigel Farage, the former Ukip leader and an ally of Mr Trump, called it the “biggest insult to a sitting US president ever”.
The blimp is six metres high. Picture: Crowdfunder UK.
A representative of Mr Khan said: “The mayor supports the right to peaceful protest and understands that this can take many different forms,” a spokesman for Mr Khan said. “His city operations team have met with the organisers and have given them permission to use Parliament Square Garden as a grounding point for the blimp.”
However he added that the protesters would also need permission from the police and air traffic services to fly the balloon.
The protesters, who describe themselves as a group of anti-fascist art activists, said at first the mayor’s office did not recognise “Trump Baby” as a legitimate protest.
“But following a huge groundswell of public support for our plan, it looks like City Hall has rediscovered its sense of humour,” activist Leo Murray said in a statement.
