A planned protest outside a St Andrews party celebrating the inauguration of Donald Trump ended peacefully – over pints.
The St Andrews chapter of Republicans Overseas UK hosted a party at Aikman’s Bar on Bell Street.
Tuesday evening’s event came just a day after 300 people marched through St Andrews in protest against the 45th president’s so-called Muslim ban, which prevents travellers from seven majority-Muslim countries entering the US.
The St Andrews Socialist Party planned to picket the Republicans’ party – which had been organised before the revised immigration rules were introduced – but decided not to protest.
Instead, they accepted an invitation to join their political rivals in the bar to discuss the latest developments in US and world politics.
Drew Liquerman, 20, chairman of the St Andrews chapter of Republicans Overseas UK, said: “We are keen to show the protestors that we are not as bad as they think we are.”
The international relations and Biblical Hebrew student, whose family live near Washington DC, added: “We are hoping for some calm discourse to show them we are not what they think they are.”
Among the anti-Trump protestors were Adam Strømme from Minnesota.
Also an international relations student, he said there had been a lively discussion about whether to protest the meeting.
“We had a long discussion about that,” he said.
“But we decided we did not want to lose the moral high ground so will listen to what they have to say.
“In times of division there is still something to be said for sitting down and listening to the other person.”
St Andrews was one of a number of UK towns and cities where there were protests against President Trump’s new immigration policy on Monday.
In Dundee, hundreds of people gathered in the City Square.
Trump visited St Andrews in 2006.
Monday’s demonstrations was called in solidarity with US protest against Trump’s so-called Muslim ban.
Marchers also called for Trump’s state visit to the UK to be cancelled.
Favorite sign of the protest so far #StAndrews #TrumpProtest #StandUpToTrump #ScotlandAgainstTrump pic.twitter.com/1uoupOxTTL
— Ben Frost (@BFrostipops) January 30, 2017
Among the messages on banners was, “You know it’s serious when it’s protested in St Andrews”.
International Socialism Scotland described it as the biggest demonstration in memory for St Andrews, estimating up to 500 people took part.
