Dear John,

Today, Donald Trump announced a crackdown on students and the right to free speech, threatening to cut funding to any schools or universities that allow “illegal” protests – blackmailing educational institutions and undermining the right to free speech at a stroke.

Characteristically, Trump failed to define what he meant by “illegal”, but it’s not hard to guess what he has in mind. He has repeatedly attacked student-led protests, particularly those critical of his policies, and has labeled pro-Palestinian demonstrators ‘extremists’.

Under his chaotic administration, any dissent whatsoever could be branded ‘illegal’ and punished accordingly. And these are NOT minor punishments. According to this new announcement:
* Schools that allow these protests are liable to lose ALL federal funding.
* Organisers (if not US citizens) will be imprisoned or permanently sent back to the country from which they came.
* Organisers (if US citizens) will be permanently expelled or, depending on the crime, arrested and charged.

This isn’t just an attack on bolshy students; it’s a warning shot to anyone who dares to challenge his power. If Trump can get away with blackmailing universities into silencing protests, what stops him from using the same tactics elsewhere?

This is the playbook of despots and autocrats, not democratic leaders. This is setting up a dark period for American democracy, one in which the state feels able to brutalise those exercising their right to free speech.

This is not an administration the UK should be giving its unequivocal support to. And yet, as things stand, Trump is set to be welcomed to the UK on an unprecedented second State Visit. While we wait to see whether a rising tide of public opinion can persuade Number 10 / Buckingham Palace to revoke his invitation, we are taking action to ensure that, if he DOES come back, he is not given the honour of addressing Parliament.

Parliament should not be used to legitimise a leader who punishes political opposition and erodes democratic norms. That’s why we launched our petition ([link removed]) to Keep Trump out of Parliament.

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Our petition asking Speaker Lindsay Hoyle to keep Trump out of Parliament ([link removed]) has already reached over 25,000 signatures since Saturday - please add your name if you haven’t already.
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The UK under successive governments has struggled to consistently defend freedom of expression on university campuses. Now, with Donald Trump's latest extreme escalation, our commitment to free speech is being tested again. Failure to firmly challenge Trump at this critical moment would amount to a surrender of one of our core democratic values.

And where is Trump's ally and self-styled champion of free speech, Nigel Farage, in all this? His silence speaks volumes. Does Farage support Trump's policy of economic blackmail against students and universities? It's time he made his position clear.

Trump is testing the waters, gauging how far he can push. If we don't stand firm now, his assault on democratic norms will only intensify. Sign our petition today ([link removed]) to ensure Trump doesn't turn our Parliament into his personal soapbox while silencing honest protest at home.

Thank you!

All the best,

The Open Britain Team

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