Wandsworth Welcomes Refugees (WWR) and Battersea Welcomes Refugees (BWR) will be protesting today against President Trump’s visit to the UK with a demonstration on Battersea Bridge.

Cllr Fleur Anderson, a member of WWR, said: “We are coming together to say that we oppose the hostile environment that has grown up in the UK around migration. People in Wandsworth want to show positively and peacefully that we love being a diverse and welcoming borough."

Protesters will be unveiling a banner at noon which reads 'building bridges not walls'.

The protesters will be joined by Marsha de Cordova, MP for Battersea.

Wandsworth Council has taken five Syrian families through the vulnerable persons resettlement scheme (VPRS), and 19 accompanied minors. Hammersmith and Fulham Council has taken 14 accompanied minors and has pledged to take a further 100. Camden has taken 20 VPRS and 50 unaccompanied minors and neighbouring Lambeth has taken 20 VPRS.

Cllr Anderson said: “Wandsworth’s record on welcoming refugees isn’t the worst in London, but it could certainly do more. There are families, and perhaps more worryingly, unaccompanied children, in camps across Europe. Local authorities have a duty to do everything they can to help ease this humanitarian crisis”.

WWR is a grouping of 15 local organisations which welcome refugees in Wandsworth by providing meals, teaching English, offering accommodation, involving refugees in local events, mentoring children and running youth clubs.