DEMONSTRATORS in Swindon joined others in cities across the UK tonight to oppose President Trump’s controversial ban on refugees entering the United States.

Chants of ‘no ban, no wall, no state visit’ rang out from Wharf Green in the town centre as around 30 to 40 people gathered.

The Swindon protest was organised at short notice, largely via social media, throughout Monday afternoon.

Its spontaneity mirrors that of the demonstrations that took place at airports and in cities across the United States over the weekend in response to the new President’s controversial executive order.

The policy means that for the next 120 days, the US will not grant entry to any refugees.

For 90 days, any entries from seven majority-Muslim countries – Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen – will be blocked.

The US Syrian refugee resettlement programme specifically has been suspended indefinitely.

Calling on her fellow Swindon residents to join her in protest, 25-year-old Josie McGregor, of Highworth, wrote: “We must use our voices to speak out in solidarity with people across the country and in the US against injustice.

“In such uncertain times it is vital that we fight the hateful, divisive rhetoric with a show of acceptance and unity. When we come together and use our voices we become powerful.”

Speaking after the demonstration, Josie said: “The reason we have to demonstrate in the first place is terrifying, but it’s heart-warming to know that the people of Swindon want to come out and have their voices heard.

“I spent a lot of time getting involved in debates on facebook and it wasn’t having any traction, whereas coming out in standing in solidarity with those people affected, gathering momentum as we have here, helps show the rest of the world that we won’t just stand by.”

The Swindon demonstration received the backing of the Swindon Trades Council, the People’s Assembly and other local organisations.

Borough and parish councillors from the Labour and Green parties were also involved along with a number of local party activists.

Emma Bushell, the Labour councillor for Walcot and Park North, said: “It’s an incredible turnout, I think it shows how angry and disgusted people are.

“If this had been organised with a week’s notice there could be ten times as many people. For everybody that is here there are even more people who weren’t able to get here too.

“People are angry, they’re scared, and they’re wondering where all this is going.

“I think it’s very important that Swindon is represented among all the other towns and cities, the scale of protests which have taken off nationally over the past 24 to 48 hours is quite amazing.

“It’s good that people in Swindon are standing up and registering their opposition to this fairly horrible piece of legislation.”

After hearing from speakers in Wharf Green, the demonstrated moved along Commercial Road towards Regent Circus.

The event passed off peacefully and for the most part, pedestrians and motorists offered their support.