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Donald Trump's travel ban sparks protest in Maidstone

Protesters gathered in Maidstone town centre this evening in support of a national demo against US President Donald Trump.

The impromptu gathering was hastily organised by the Maidstone Anti-Racist Network, set up in recent weeks to counter right wing groups demonstrating against mosque redevelopment plans in the town.

Around 10 people heeded the call to arms in support of an 'emergency' demo taking place in cities & towns across Britain against the recently inaugurated Republican leader's orders restricting entry to the States from seven Muslim-majority countries.

Video: Demonstrators gathered to protest against Donald Trump

Anger has been growing in the country following the travel ban and Trump's anticipated State visit to Britain.

A petition calling on prime minister Theresa May to cancel Mr Trump's planned state visit to the UK has been signed more than 1.4 million times and MPs are holding an emergency debate on the immigration measures.

The USA travel order activates a suspension of the US Refugee Admissions Programme for 120 days and there is also an indefinite ban on Syrian refugees.

In a letter to Maidstone and the Weald MP Helen Grant, the group states: "We are shocked that Donald Trump is refusing to take refugees from war torn countries.

"There are moments of terrible injustice throughout history where we look back and rightly ask - what did people do?

"If we do not speak out, we are complicit."

Steve Cheeseman, the Maidstone group's founder, said they felt compelled to add their voices to tonight's national protest.

He said: "The response has been great. We've had loads of people expressing their support."

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