U.S.-based anti-Trump campaign goes global with day of protests

"The fightback starts now!" The words of an anti-Trump protester marching through central London on Saturday.

April 5 was earmarked as a global day of action for people to protest against the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump and especially his policy of tariffs which has seen stock markets nosedive across the world.

The Hands Off campaign is based in the United States where over 1,300 demonstrations took place on Saturday.

London was one of a number of European cities that also held marches against Trump.

Trump's tariffs

Speaking to CGTN Europe one female protestor said the ripple effects of Trump's tariff policy was being felt around the world.

"You only have to look at what's gone on this week with the tariffs, when Trump does something braindead we are all impacted," she said.

Another protester said Trump's obsession with tariffs showed what a poor grasp he had of economics.

"I think the impact (of the tariffs) will be to affect the cost of living. People with limited incomes are really going to feel it and I think people with pensions and other kinds of investments are going to feel it," they said.

Another said she was angry that the UK government of Keir Starmer wasn't standing up to Trump.

"I think the government should take a stronger line against Trump. I don't understand why they're not doing anything. They are just going along like everything is normal," she said. 

Protests across Europe

As well as the protests in London, similar marches took place across various European cities, including Berlin, Lisbon and Paris.

The organizers called it proof of the widespread discontent with Trump's second term, which has also been intensified by the controversial role of his special adviser Elon Musk.

Musk has already been the focus of a campaign against him called the 'Tesla Takedown' which has seen sales of his EV brand fall to their lowest level for three years.

But while campaigners insist there is a growing momentum against Trump and his allies in the U.S and abroad, whether these protests will have any effect on the man in the White House remains to be seen.