The U.S. government has issued travel warnings for both London and Edinburgh as President Donald Trump visits the U.K. this week.
But as protesters take to the streets, how safe is Britain, and should Americans there be worried? The U.S. Embassy in London warned citizens, "Exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings that may become violent."
British crowds have been known to lose control and start mass brawls in public.
Participants join a mass pillow fight in Trafalgar Square, in London, on April 6, 2013. The U.S. government has issued travel warnings for both London and Edinburgh as President Donald Trump visits the U.K. this...Participants join a mass pillow fight in Trafalgar Square, in London, on April 6, 2013. The U.S. government has issued travel warnings for both London and Edinburgh as President Donald Trump visits the U.K. this week. REUTERS/Luke MacGrego
Americans should keep a low profile in London, and nowhere in the capital is safe to show your national pride.
Flag bearers from Thomas Jefferson High School in Virginia march down Whitehall in front of Big Ben, during the New Year’s Day Parade in London, on January 1, 2002. This weekend, nowhere in the British...Flag bearers from Thomas Jefferson High School in Virginia march down Whitehall in front of Big Ben, during the New Year’s Day Parade in London, on January 1, 2002. This weekend, nowhere in the British capital is safe to show your national pride.Sion Touhig/Getty Images
The same cautions were sent out for Americans in Edinburgh, the largest city in Scotland. The city's large gatherings often turn nasty.
People dance in the streets during the Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh, Scotland, on December 31, 2015. Edinburgh’s large gatherings often turn nasty.People dance in the streets during the Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh, Scotland, on December 31, 2015. Edinburgh’s large gatherings often turn nasty.REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
No one in the U.K. would ever risk showing public support for Trump.
The exterior of The Trump Arms pub, which has embraced the arrival of U.S. President Donald Trump by changing its name and decorating its interior with Trump memorabilia, in London, on July 12.The exterior of The Trump Arms pub, which has embraced the arrival of U.S. President Donald Trump by changing its name and decorating its interior with Trump memorabilia, in London, on July 12.NIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images
Trump has made several controversial comments about the U.K. According to the president, London hospitals are like "war zones" thanks to the supposed out-of-control knife epidemic in the capital. Look at this bleak image from the front line.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, meets patient Rafael Chana, 4, at Great Ormond Street Hospital, in London, on January 17. According to the U.S. president, London hospitals are like “war zones.”Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, meets patient Rafael Chana, 4, at Great Ormond Street Hospital, in London, on January 17. According to the U.S. president, London hospitals are like “war zones.”Frank Augstein-WPA Pool/Getty Images
The president has suggested a link between high knife crime and "unbelievably tough gun laws," which mean "they don't have guns." Here we have a man not owning or using a gun.
A man smokes a cigarette as he waits for pheasants to be flushed from their cover during a pheasant hunt in Stokenchurch, U.K. on December 11, 2012. The U.S. president has suggested a link between...A man smokes a cigarette as he waits for pheasants to be flushed from their cover during a pheasant hunt in Stokenchurch, U.K. on December 11, 2012. The U.S. president has suggested a link between high knife crime and “unbelievably tough gun laws,” which mean “they don’t have guns.” REUTERS/Eddie Keogh
Islamic extremism is rampant, Trump has said, linking it to rising national crime rates. Muslim communities are made up of dangerous figures clandestinely working to undermine mainstream society.
The Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities stand together, following the June 3 terror attack on London Bridge and Borough Market, in London, on June 7, 2017. The U.S. president contends Muslim communities consist of dangerous...The Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities stand together, following the June 3 terror attack on London Bridge and Borough Market, in London, on June 7, 2017. The U.S. president contends Muslim communities consist of dangerous figures clandestinely working to undermine mainstream society. ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images
Such extremism has made some parts of the U.K. "no-go" areas for the British authorities.
Greater Manchester Police Superintendent David Pester gives an address to worshipers at Friday prayers at Manchester Central Mosque in Manchester, U.K., on May 26, 2017. President Donald Trump has said Muslim extremism has rendered some...Greater Manchester Police Superintendent David Pester gives an address to worshipers at Friday prayers at Manchester Central Mosque in Manchester, U.K., on May 26, 2017. President Donald Trump has said Muslim extremism has rendered some parts of the U.K. “no-go” areas.OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images
Trump refused to travel to London to open the new U.S. embassy, which he said was in a "lousy" location and another failure of President Barack Obama. Just look at how run-down and empty it is. Positively a dump.
The new U.S. Embassy is situated near the River Thames in southwest London. President Donald Trump has said the location is “lousy.”The new U.S. Embassy is situated near the River Thames in southwest London. President Donald Trump has said the location is “lousy.”JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images
The National Health Service (NHS)—one of Britain's most treasured institutions—has been the target of several Trump attacks. The vast majority of Britains support the NHS according to a recent poll. Life expectancy in the U.K. is better than in the U.S., and people spend far less on health care on average than their American cousins. But this is probably all fake news.
Protesters march through London to demonstrate against private companies’ involvement in the National Health Service and funding cuts, on March 4, 2017. People in the U.K. spend far less on health care than in the...Protesters march through London to demonstrate against private companies’ involvement in the National Health Service and funding cuts, on March 4, 2017. People in the U.K. spend far less on health care than in the U.S.DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
David Brennan is Newsweek's Diplomatic Correspondent covering world politics and conflicts from London with a focus on NATO, the European Union, and the Russia-Ukraine War. David joined Newsweek in 2018 and has since reported from key locations and summits across Europe and the South Caucasus. This includes extensive reporting from the Baltic, Nordic, and Central European regions, plus Georgia and Ukraine. Originally from London, David graduated from the University of Cambridge having specialized in the history of empires and revolutions. You can contact David at d.brennan@newsweek.com and follow him on Twitter @DavidBrennan100.
David Brennan is Newsweek's Diplomatic Correspondent covering world politics and conflicts from London with a focus on NATO, the European ...
Read more
To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.
Newsletter
The Bulletin
Your Morning Starts Here
Begin your day with a curated outlook of top news around the world and why it matters.
By clicking on SIGN ME UP, you agree to Newsweek's Terms of Use & Privacy Policy.
You may unsubscribe at any time.
