The mayor of London Sadiq Khan expanded the open invitation to international students that excluded US universities under Trump’s administration, and called on them to choose London as a welcome, inclusive and transmitting alternative.
Sadiq Khan said at the Concordia Europe summit, according to Repot in the ABC reports: “If the US is closed for you, we will make sure it is open to London.” He appreciated the British capital as “Lighthouse of Hope, Progress and Possibilities”, added that the city is appreciating the contributions of overseas students to “our society, our economy and our culture”.
Criticism of “narrow nationalism” and isolationism
Without nameing Khan directly named US President Donald Trump, he warned against growing nationalism and internal politics. He criticized the governments that “they wanted to cut off from the world, give up their duties under the global order based on the rule, and evoke a close form of nationalism that divides their populations into initiates and outsiders.”
He claimed that the effort to reverse globalization is “a completely self -harmful exercise that will cause immense damage to your own economy and your allies and business partners.”
“We are introducing a red carpet”
Khan, who addressed those disappointed by political climate in their home countries, said, “Come to London because we are ready to introduce a red carpet for executives, technical entrepreneurs, individuals with a high net value, creative, students, whoever.”
Crossing your fingers to Trump’s policies
While Khan did not name Trump directly, his remarks are coming when the US President seeks to reduce financing on the diversity and inclusion programs at American universities and the pressure of the Campus to solve them of Pro-Palestinian protests. These movements were widely criticized as suffocating academic freedom.
“A place to be”
Khan closed a direct withdrawal: “If you value the security and stability, freedom and democracy, pluralism and mutual respect, then London is to be.”
(Tagstotranslate) London Mayor Sadiq Khan (T) International Students (T) Trump Administration (T) Diversity and Inclusion (T) London as Welcome City (T) Pro-Palestinian Protests (T) Academic Freedom
