Donald Trump should not be welcome in Scotland
Donald Trump does not deserve a warm welcome and must be met with protest on his visit to Scotland, say the Scottish Greens.
The US President has been invited to meet with King Charles in Scotland to discuss their “mutual interests” and plan a second state visit.
Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie MSP said:
“In the short time since Donald Trump has re-entered the White House he has unleashed some of the most destructive policies of any US President in living memory.
“Despite Keir Starmer’s sickening deference to him, Trump is not a friendly leader and should not be treated as if he was. He is a dangerous, fraudulent, misogynistic, racist, climate-change denier, and one who openly opposes democratic values.
“During his first Presidency he repeatedly promoted the work of fascists, and in recent weeks high profile members of his government have been openly advancing the interests of far right parties in Europe, interfering in our domestic politics in a way that would once have sparked global outrage. It was only two weeks ago that his Vice President was spreading misinformation about abortion rights in Scotland to a global audience.
“The threat Trump represents to global security, to democracy, to human rights and to our climate could not be clearer. To offer him such a warm welcome and the trappings of a state visit is a slap in the face to the millions of people across the US and beyond who are frightened for their friends and family who are having their rights eroded or removed.
“The UK Labour Government is utterly failing to recognise the threat he poses and the urgent strategic choice this country faces. Either we stand reunited with democratic Europe, or we assist Trump in ushering in a frightening new era, one where international law is replaced by the whim of tyrants and their billionaire backers."
Mr Harvie added:
“I have no doubt that Donald Trump’s visit will be met with protests and a great deal of anger.
“Only this week the First Minister was calling for a united front against the far right. That must also mean standing up to Donald Trump and the toxic and hateful politics that he represents.”