Thousands of Britons hold protests against Trump

An 82ft banner was unfurled from Tower Bridge today as thousands of Britons hold protests against Donald Trump across the country.
The placard reading ‘Act Now! Build Bridges Not Walls’ was revealed on the bridge in London at 8.30am today, and the demonstration was due to be mirrored on every major bridge across the River Thames as far as Vauxhall.
The protest calling for peace and tolerance will also see six banners unfurled from Edinburgh’s North Bridge, while rallies are also being staged in Brighton and Manchester ahead of Mr Trump’s inauguration as US president.

The UK protests join other demonstrations in cities around the world as Mr Trump is sworn in as US president, with the largest protest in Washington DC tomorrow when 200,000 people are expected to join a women's march.
Demonstrators have already clashed with police officers outside a pro-Trump rally in the US capital last night, having gathered outside the National Press Club to oppose a group of Trump backers staging a ‘DeploraBall’.

This was an event named after Hillary Clinton branded them a ‘basket of deplorables’ during the election. Police appeared to use pepper spray to disperse the protesters while smoke was also seen filling the street.
Officers announced later that a man had been charged with conspiracy to commit an assault. Security officials have expressed concerns about possible clashes between Trump supporters and opponents.

In Washington, up to 900,000 people are expected to watch him take the oath. Coalition protest group DisruptJ20 has vowed to disrupt the inauguration and interfere with security checkpoints.
In contrast, Bikers For Trump will rally on Washington's Pennsylvania Avenue to celebrate the inauguration.
Outgoing homeland security secretary Jeh Johnson said 28,000 officials will be involved in the security effort. There will be more than 3,000 police officers and 5,000 members of the National Guard in Washington.