Trump to face protesters when he re-opens U.K. golf course
GLASGOW, Scotland — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump will fly into Scotland later this month and straight into a barrage of protesters at his golf course in Ayrshire, Scotland.
The outspoken billionaire is to attend the lavish official re-opening of his refurbished Turnberry development June 24.
But he is expected to face a string of protests over comments he has made including that women should be punished for having abortions and a ban on Muslims entering America.
The son of a Scottish mother, he has also triggered outrage by calling for Mexico to pay for a wall on its border to prevent immigrants crossing into the United States.
Campaigners are planning to disrupt his visit, which has been timed to coincide with the re-opening of Trump Turnberry after a £200 million, or $288 million, refurbishment.
Jonathon Shafi, from RISE-Scotland's Left Alliance, who organized an occupation of Trump hotels earlier this year, said: “There will be a protest.
“The possibility of a Trump presidency is important for the world, not just for America."
He added: “Everywhere he goes he should be protested and these demonstrations should feature a broad coalition of everyone who is concerned about what a Trump presidency might mean — climate change activists, those interested in human rights, trade unionists, and anti-racism campaigners, to name just a few."
He added that Trump was "not part of a political party but rather of a radical right-wing insurgency" and was not fit to be president.
That view was echoed by Patrick Harvie, the Green member of the Scottish Parliament, who said that Trump was "not fit for the office he is seeking."
He added: "It's tempting to wait til he gets to Turnberry then build a wall round it and send him the bill."
Trump's visit to Scotland is the talk of Westminster amid speculation he could try to meet British Prime Minister David Cameron on the same trip.
Cameron has congratulated the New York tycoon on what he said was the "extraordinary marathon" that led to him securing the delegates for the Republican presidential nomination.
But he stopped short of congratulating Trump himself.
Cameron would not comment on previous remarks that a Trump visit to the U.K. "would unite us all against him," saying he would be willing to meet Trump if he came to the U.K.
Cameron had previously condemned Trump's comments about Muslims as "stupid, divisive and wrong."
At the time, however, Trump still seemed an outsider in the race for the Republican nomination.
First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon will not meet Trump, said Alex Salmond, the former first minister.
Left-wing alliance Rise has claimed that Trump, whose mother was from the Isle of Lewis, is damaging Scotland's international reputation.
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