VIVIDLY spray-painted banners bearing the legend ‘Bridges Not Walls’ were draped across Oxfordshire landmarks yesterday to coincide with Donald Trump’s inauguration.

Demonstrators gathered in Oxford and Abingdon to express solidarity with minority groups as the controversial figure was sworn in as 45th President of the United States.

Banners were spotted on the Bridge of Sighs, Botley Road railway bridge and Magdalen Bridge in Oxford as well as Abingdon Bridge in the early morning.

Oxford Mail: Oxford residents will be gathering in colourful clothes for a banner-drop at the Bridge of Sighs this morning protesting the rise of the far right and standing in solidarity with groups that feel threatened as Trump comes to power...L-R: Larry Sanders (07

Picture: Andrew Walmsley

At lunchtime a crowd gathered in Radcliffe Square to build - and knock down - a cardboard box ‘wall’ in reference to the President’s now-infamous pledge.

Co-organiser Lily Gilder, a teaching assistant, said: “We had a great turnout in the morning and at the lunchtime rally, and a great time toppling the wall.

“It’s really important that we stand in solidarity with those at risk of increased oppression under a Trump presidency.

Oxford Mail: Bridges Not Walls protest in Radcliffe Square against Donald Trump on his Inauguration Day as President of the United States..Pic by Hugh Warwick..

Bridges Not Walls protest in Radcliffe Square against Donald Trump on his Inauguration Day as President of the United States. Picture by Hugh Warwick.

“Myself I wanted to oppose the rise of the far right, and stand up for the values these politics undermine like transparency, decency and tolerance.”

More than 50 people attended the Abingdon event held by the town’s ‘More in Common’ campaign, which was set up in the aftermath of the death of MP Jo Cox.

Simon Reid, 31, an illustrator, said: “None of us had a vote in the American election but today’s catastrophe could affect us all. The ramifications could stretch globally.”

Among those attending was local teacher Leah Kendry, 36, who was born in Atlanta in the US, with her six-month-old son Arthur.

She said: “I feel like Trump has empowered others to be divisive. People here want a more positive outlook.”

Oxford Mail: A banner is hung from Abingdon Bridge as part of the Bridges Not Walls campaign

Picture: Damian Halliwell

At noon local time yesterday Mr Trump was formally sworn at a ceremony in as thousands of people converged on Washington DC to catch a glimpse of proceedings.

It followed the 8,000-strong Inaugural Parade up Pennsylvania Avenue from the US Capitol to the White House.

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Picture: PA 

Speaking ahead of the occasion at a concert, Mr Trump told supporters: “We’re going to unify our country. It’s going to change.”

In Oxford national group Stand Up to Racism held another rally outside Carfax Tower at 5pm to coincide with the swearing-in.

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Picture: Jon Lewis

Spokesman Weyman Bennett said: “Trump’s campaign for president was marked by constant scapegoating of migrants, with a key slogan ‘build a wall’ to keep out Mexican workers and attacks on America’s Muslim community. We cannot allow these ideas to become acceptable.”

At 12pm today (21/1) a women’s demonstration will be held on the steps of the Sheldonian Theatre in support of women’s marches in Washington and London. Another hundred-strong contingent is leaving for London in the morning.

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