Cambridge has spoken out strongly against President Donald Trump’s recent travel bans, with approximately one thousand people taking to the streets in protest, and condemning statements issued by key figures in the city and University.

Last Friday, in an executive order, Trump issued immediate 90 day travel bans, preventing citizens from seven majority-Muslim countries (Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen) from entering the US. The President also suspended the entire refugee admission system for 120 days and indefinitely suspended the US Syrian refugee programme.

There has been major national and international backlash against the response of the British government, as Theresa May has failed to openly criticise Trump and has not retracted Trump’s invitation for a state visit to the UK, despite an online petition which has already gained over 1.8 million signatories.

On Monday, crowds gathered around Great St Mary’s Church in Cambridge, with strong chanting and several speakers addressing the gathered group, there to protest Trump’s ban and the UK government’s reaction.

Protesters held banners with such slogans as “Respect existence or expect resistance”, “Build bridges not walls” and “Theresa the Appeaser, let go of his (tiny) hand”. Chants included “Refugees are here to stay, let’s deport Theresa May”, and “Palestine to Mexico, all the walls have got to go!”.

Yesterday, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, issued a statement regarding Trump’s actions: “As the head of a university whose staff is actively engaged in research collaborations around the world, I cannot accept a policy that undermines academic freedom, disrupts partnerships, and blocks the pathways to understanding between peoples, faiths and nations.”

He added, “This ban is fundamentally at odds with the values of openness, tolerance and evidence-based decision-making that the University of Cambridge stands for.”

He said that the ban may “curtail some of our researchers’ ability to attend academic events, work with colleagues”, and insisted that Cambridge would provide guidance and support to any students or members of staff affected by the travel ban.

The MP for Cambridge, Daniel Zeichner also spoke out against the Trump and Theresa May’s actions, “The travel ban is insulting and unacceptable, and there should be no question of any presidential visit to the UK while this remains in place.

“Trump’s reckless behaviour within hours of the British Prime Minister’s visit shows that the early visit by Theresa May was poorly judged. Other, more experienced leaders, who were also not so desperate to curry favour, were more sensible.”

Julian Huppert, Liberal Democrat politician and former MP for Cambridge, made his complaints heard at the march: “Cambridge will not stand for this. It is so alien to our values. It is unacceptable.”

He advised people to take action and openly protest Trump: “People look back on history and think, “If I were there I would have done something.” This is history and we are in it. Do something, say something, make a difference.

A “Cambridge Day of Action Against Trump”, organised by Stand Up to Racism, is to be held in Market Square. It will be held on Monday 20th February, the day parliament is set to debate the petition to prevent Trump from making a state visit to the UK.

On the Facebook event the organisers wrote: “We want to show loud and clear that his racist, sexist, homophobic ideology is not welcome here. Join Cambridge Stand Up to Racism in showing Theresa May what we think of her invitation to Trump.”

Several colleges sent round emails to their students with a message from the Vice-Chancellor and the Pro-Vice Chancellors of the University saying that the University has not identified any graduate student permission for leave to work away, or any undergraduate student on exchange at MIT that will be directly affected by the ban.

However they are still keen to show support for anyone who is worried or otherwise impacted: “The University of Cambridge actively engages in research collaborations around the world to address global challenges. If you are concerned about the potential impact on your travel plans of new restrictions on entry to the United States please contact the International Student Team, internationalstudents@admin.cam.ac.uk.”