A protest with a turnout of close to 1,000 people took place outside Norwich City Hall on Wednesday 1st February in light of President Donald Trump’s new immigration restrictions.
After being President for only a week, Donald Trump created an executive order which prevents people from seven predominantly Muslim countries from being able to enter the USA for 90 days. These countries are Syria, Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and Libya.
The protest was organised by Stand Up To Racism, and joined by the Norwich Stop The War Coalition and the newly founded UEA Movement for Justice.
Hundreds turned up with signs saying things such as “One Planet No Borders” and “Donald and Theresa sitting in a tree, F.A.S.C.I.S.T”, and used the protest to also condemn Brexit as a parliamentary Brexit vote was taking place the same day.
Lotty Clare, President of the UEA Movement for Justice said “Brexit is inextricably linked to the success of Trump’s election campaign” and used the end of her speech on the night to incite the chants “No Trump, no Brexit, no racist EU exit” and “Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here”.
Speeches were also given by people such as Lesley Graham from the Norwich Green Party, and Sirajul Islam from Norwich Central Mosque, with Islam using his speech to show his appreciation for those around the world who support his religion after tragedies such as the mosque shooting in Canada last week.
Among those who attended the protest was Jay Stonestreet, a 3rd year UEA Literature student, who said he thinks this protest was important because “Trump is more than one man, he’s a symbol of a lot of things and we need to counteract that with equally strong symbolism”.
There was minimal counter-protest with one person being arrested for a minor public order offence, however protesters were still urged to stick together on their way home to stay safe.
News of Norfolk 
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