LAST UPDATE | 6 Jun 2019
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE have taken part in a demonstration against the visit of US President Donald Trump to Ireland in Dublin this evening.
The president himself may be staying in Clare for the duration of his stay here, but the infamous baby balloon that bears his name appeared at the scene of the protest which began earlier this evening at the Garden of Remembrance.
A number of TDs joined the hundreds at the demonstration, with attendees taking aim at various policies and stances Trump has taken during his presidency.
Protestors have since marched down O’Connell Street with shouts of “Donald Trump’s not welcome here” and “Donald Trump go away”.
Demonstration thousands-strong now. March is moving down O'Connell Street, to chants of "Donald Trump's not welcome here" and "Donald Trump go away". pic.twitter.com/8naMHvesvO
— Stephen McDermott (@Ste_McDermott) June 6, 2019
Several hundred were also in attendance at protests in Shannon yesterday, where Trump arrived with his wife Melania in the afternoon.
Groups that attended these protests included the Extinction Rebellion Clare, Futureproof Clare, the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC), Gaza Action Ireland, the Peace and Neutrality Alliance, the Irish Anti-War Movement, Veterans for Peace, and Galway Alliance Against War.
Hundreds of anti-Trump protesters (and THAT balloon) have gathered for a demonstration in Dublin. #trumpinireland pic.twitter.com/wNOGwNe3Ob
— Stephen McDermott (@Ste_McDermott) June 6, 2019
The protest travelled along Parnell Square East, before moving southbound down O’Connell Street, and an array of political parties and groups took part.
Helena Sheehan, a veteran of protests against US foreign policy and presidential visits to Ireland, told TheJournal.ie that she attended this evening’s demonstration to show Trump that he wasn’t welcome.
“I protested against the Vietnam war and I was here making Reagan and Bush unwelcome as well,” she said.
“I’ve been out here many times marching against many things, including US foreign policy and its domination of the world.
“But I think Trump is stupid and arrogant and vulgar, and everything that isn’t what a human being should be.”
The demonstration dispersed shortly after 8pm, although traffic remained heavy in the city centre for a short time afterwards.
Trump is back in Ireland this evening, after attending D-Day commemorations in Normandy earlier today. The US President is due to leave his Doonbeg hotel tomorrow following his two-day stay.
With reporting from Stephen McDermott.
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