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More than 50 leading public figures out of several thousand celebrities in the country have signed a statement urging people to "Stand up to Trump" and protest against his "divisive politics of despair". The statement describes the election of Donald Trump as "deeply disturbing and a stark warning to us all". It decries the "significant" growth in racism and claims that the tycoon's election is "encouraging and legitimising a backlash against women's and LGBT+ rights" while creating a "possibly devastating impact on climate change".

GETTY Politicians and religious leaders have called for people to protest the president-elect Donald Trump

"We cannot allow racism to seep deeper into society and whatever our other differences, we must unite together to meet this serious threat," it states. "We the undersigned therefore urgently call for anti-racists, trade unionists, community and campaign activists, and above all everybody of goodwill, to join the growing opposition to Trump and what he stands for." Shadow cabinet members including Emily Thornberry aka Lady Nugee, Clive Lewis and Diane Abbott, as well as trade union leaders including the National Union of Teachers' Kevin Courtney and Unite's Len McCluskey, gave their backing to the calls.

Anti-Trump protests erupt worldwide Wed, November 30, 2016 Trump win sparks riots across US as crowds burn American flag and chant 'Not our president' Play slideshow REUTERS 1 of 31 Supporters of the

GETTY Statements declared the election of Mr Trump a 'disturbing warning'

Rabbi Lee Wax and members of the Muslim Council of Britain have also supported the statement. Shadow home secretary Miss Abbott said: "There is a link between inflammatory statements by politicians and racist attacks and hate crimes on the street. "There has been a rise in such crimes in Britain following the EU referendum and a similar pattern has emerged in the US. "Now is the time for people of goodwill to unite and stand up to racism."

PA Amongst those calling for protest, is Labour MP Diane Abbot