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Expats in Europe combine to protest Trump presidency
| Published: | 25 Jan at 6 PM |
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With Davos as their focus, American expats across Europe have banded together with European expats and citizens to protest against Donald Trump’s controversial presidency.
The two groups involved, Campax and Action Together Zurich, came together for a ‘we are sorry’ protest march on the first anniversary of Trump’s inauguration, handing out flyers suggesting anti-Trump actions which could be taken by ordinary people compelled to make a stand. The groups included those who’d supported Trump during his election campaign as they didn’t want Clinton, but the majority condemned the President as they’d recognised the Trumpian style of xenophobia in their own countries.
Swiss campaign group Campax’s founding member Andreas Freimuller told reporters he’d started a ‘Trump not Welcome’ petition immediately after Trump’s visit to Davos was confirmed. Within the first three days, over 15,000 signatures had been received, with the petition’s wording stressing the campaign groups’ worldview, ‘ The World first, not America first’ and stating Trump should not be allowed to use Davos as a podium for his views.
Unsurprisingly, European leaders could be said to be in favour of the protest group’s slogan, with French president Emmanuel Macron now seen to be even more outspoken in condemning Trump’s decisions and even Theresa May condemning his support of Britain’s far right via a notorious tweet. American expats overseas are in the firing line, whether or not they voted for Trump, and their anger is rising as a result.
University College London contemporary history professor Kathleen Burk believes Trump’s unpredictability has energised other world countries in an attempt to negate the damage he is doing to international relations. Freimuller is determined to use Trump’s presence at Davos to rally those who are determined to prioritise the need for values on racism, gender equity and climate policy. He's hoping against hope the protest will shine the light of reason on the American president’s damaging policies. Switzerland, he said, is just a small country, but we demand our views should be taken seriously.
The two groups involved, Campax and Action Together Zurich, came together for a ‘we are sorry’ protest march on the first anniversary of Trump’s inauguration, handing out flyers suggesting anti-Trump actions which could be taken by ordinary people compelled to make a stand. The groups included those who’d supported Trump during his election campaign as they didn’t want Clinton, but the majority condemned the President as they’d recognised the Trumpian style of xenophobia in their own countries.
Swiss campaign group Campax’s founding member Andreas Freimuller told reporters he’d started a ‘Trump not Welcome’ petition immediately after Trump’s visit to Davos was confirmed. Within the first three days, over 15,000 signatures had been received, with the petition’s wording stressing the campaign groups’ worldview, ‘ The World first, not America first’ and stating Trump should not be allowed to use Davos as a podium for his views.
Unsurprisingly, European leaders could be said to be in favour of the protest group’s slogan, with French president Emmanuel Macron now seen to be even more outspoken in condemning Trump’s decisions and even Theresa May condemning his support of Britain’s far right via a notorious tweet. American expats overseas are in the firing line, whether or not they voted for Trump, and their anger is rising as a result.
University College London contemporary history professor Kathleen Burk believes Trump’s unpredictability has energised other world countries in an attempt to negate the damage he is doing to international relations. Freimuller is determined to use Trump’s presence at Davos to rally those who are determined to prioritise the need for values on racism, gender equity and climate policy. He's hoping against hope the protest will shine the light of reason on the American president’s damaging policies. Switzerland, he said, is just a small country, but we demand our views should be taken seriously.
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