As an act of protest, a huge balloon named 'Trump Baby' is getting ready to welcome US President Donald Trump in London.
The six-metre orange-coloured balloon will be flying above the Parliament Square Gardens for two hours on the morning of July 13, according to reports.
The Greater London Authority gave permission to fly the balloon at 30 metres off the ground after more than 10,000 people signed a petition to allow this 'peaceful protest.' The crowdfunding campaign raised more than £16,000 for this, says a Sky News report.
Leo Murray, the man behind the balloon, told The Guardian that the protest was intended to play on Trump’s psychology. “He’s a deeply insecure man, and that is the only leverage we have over him. If we want his attention, we have to do something that humiliates him.”
A 'Trump Not Welcome' rally and other protests are also planned at each stage of his first visit to the country as the US President. He will meet the Queen during the visit, Sky News reports.
Meanwhile, a netizen, Zac Walton has started an online petition to stop the 'Trump Baby'. "Not only is this insulting the freely elected leader of our closest ally, the United States of America, it will also present a picture to the world that the UK public are no longer welcoming to the USA." (sic)
While signing the petition, many expressed their anger against Mayor of London Sadiq Khan who gave permission for the protest.
"The Mayor of London should resign and hang his head in shame. He is neither fit for purpose nor is he representative of true British values. His disrespect towards the President of the United States brings disgrace on the mayoral title - show some respect Khan!," wrote one Jean Ashlan from Manchester.
Khan is a known critic of Trump and his policies. "Many Londoners have made it clear that Donald Trump is not welcome here while he is pursuing such a divisive agenda. It seems he’s finally got that message," he wrote in January this year when Trump cancelled the trip to London. "Let's hope that Donald Trump also revisits the pursuit of his divisive agenda."