Activists plan giant 'Trump Baby' balloon to protest his UK visit
One problem: It may not qualify as a sanctioned protest.
LONDON -- Activists who plan to hoist a giant balloon version of President Donald Trump, shaped like a baby, have exceeded their crowdfunding target aimed at making their protest possible.
“Trump Baby” was set up by a group of anti-Trump activists in London, who plan to fly the balloon in the capital Friday, July 13.
![PHOTO: People inflate a helium filled Donald Trump blimp, which they hope to deploy during the President's upcoming visit, in London, June 26, 2018.](https://s.abcnews.com/images/International/trump-blimp-02-rt-jef-180627_hpEmbed_23x15_992.jpg)
The balloon is designed with the president’s trademark blond hair but also is depicted wearing a diaper, has very small hands and stands nearly 20 feet high.
“Donald Trump is a big, angry baby with a fragile ego and tiny hands …” the activists’ page says.
“Moral outrage is water off a duck’s back to Trump. But he seems to really hate it when people make fun of him. So when [he] visits on July 13th, we want to make sure he knows that all of Britain is looking down on him and laughing at him.”
![PHOTO: People inflate a helium filled Donald Trump blimp, which they hope to deploy during the President's upcoming visit, in London, June 26, 2018.](https://s.abcnews.com/images/International/trump-blimp-03-rt-jef-180627_hpEmbed_13x9_992.jpg)
The campaign has raised just over $14,000, almost three times its initial target.
But the group faces a challenge from the office of London Mayor Sadiq Khan, which has not given the group permission to fly the balloon because, officials say, the “Trump Baby” does not qualify as a sanctioned protest.
More than 7,000 people have signed a petition called “Let Trump Baby Fly”, calling for the mayor to allow the balloon to take to the skies above Westminster on the day of the president’s visit.
![PHOTO: People inflate a helium filled Donald Trump blimp, which they hope to deploy during the President's upcoming visit, in London, June 26, 2018.](https://s.abcnews.com/images/International/trump-blimp-04-rt-jef-180627_hpEmbed_3x2_992.jpg)
The protesters say if they are unable to secure permission to fly the balloon from Parliament Square outside the House of Commons, they “may need to be creative about finding a suitable alternative location.”
Metropolitan Police Service told reporters this week it is "preparing for a multifaceted policing and security operation, involving the protection and movement of the president. The requirements of this complex operation need to be balanced with the right of individuals to a freedom of speech."