AFTER the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States, people around the world gathered to speak out and make their voices heard.

Millions took to the streets in the USA and more than 100,000 protesters marched on London to unite against the controversial billionaire.

At 5pm on Friday evening, as images of the inauguration beamed across the globe, demonstrators gathered in Stroud to “trump-et” a message of hope, love and community strength.

WE The People – ‘Stroud for Bridges Not Walls’ saw more than 100 people of all creeds, colours and political parties gather outside the Subscription Rooms in protest and solidarity at the inauguration of Mr Trump.

Organisers said the rally was “a rich celebration of Stroud’s richly diverse community” which aimed to send out messages of “hope, love, peace, resilience, positivity and vision, as a counter-narrative to the improbable election of Donald Trump as US President”.

Organised by The Politics Kitchen and Debbie Hicks, the event’s speakers showcased the protection and cherishing of the rights and freedoms of all citizens and aimed at demonstrating love will always 'trump' hate.

Speeches came from community activist Miriam Yagud of the Jewish Socialist Group, Charlie Avent, author of Following the Hoofprint, Tracee Williams of Stroud’s Politics Kitchen, and local campaigner-activists Dr Gail Bradbrook and JoJo Mehta.

The event, which included music, singing and dancing, stood for “a world which urgently needs to birth a new kind of politics” rooted in the “intelligence of the heart and the brilliance of the creative mind”.

Dr Richard House of Stroud’s Politics Kitchen said: “With a putative new leader of the Western world who openly advocates torture, who abuses women, disabled people and other minorities, and who has appointed the most shamelessly right-wing administration in living American memory, it’s no surprise that many millions across the globe demonstrated against these developments last Friday and Saturday, and for a more positive and progressive future – nor that Stroud should have at least 100 people turn out on a cold Friday evening to express solidarity with these global demonstrations.”

The event was the precursor to a special Politics Kitchen Valentines musical extravaganza, ‘The Politics of the Heart’, to be held at the Subscription Rooms on Saturday 11 February.

This will include speakers, poetry and live music from World Music aficionados Spiro and local singer-songwriter Hattie Briggs.