Despite White House staff making preparations on the ground in Milwaukee, a source has told CNN that the Harley-Davidson factory President Donald Trump had planned to visit on Thursday is no longer comfortable hosting him amid planned protests.

The director of Harley-Davidson’s corporate communication, Maripat Blankenheim, said “we look forward to hosting the president in the future”, while denying that a visit had ever been on the cards.

If the report is true, and a company has been forced to cancel a visit from the President, then it must be clear to the scoffers and the naysayers that our protests are having a real impact.

On Good Morning Britain, journalist Owen Jones faced off against MP Philip Davies, a truly compassionate chap who tried to derail legislation protecting women against violence, and beloved presenter Piers Morgan, a sort of Poundland version of Bill O'Reilly.

Farage defends Trump's 'Muslim ban' in EU Parliament

Davies described the recent country-wide protests against both the #MuslimBan and Trump’s state visit to Britain as “pointless” and “bizarre”. I’d wager they’re nowhere near as bizarre as filibustering in Parliament for 93 minutes to stop carers being allowed free hospital parking. Piers Morgan made a comment about the “endless hysteria” of those protesting against Trump’s policies, although I’m not sure “endless” is the right word as Trump has only been president since 20 January.

The ability to protest peacefully is a hard-earned democratic right. It is an essential part of a functioning and healthy democracy. Privileged MPs and smug TV personalities do the people of Britain a great disservice when they dismiss protest in this manner.

Trump is a dangerous man. He’s the most powerful person in the world and he acts on impulse, raving and blaming and banning. He has resurrected Ronald Reagan’s Global Gag Rule, jeopardising the health of the world’s most vulnerable women. He has banned citizens from a number of Muslim-majority states from entering the US, a racist, Islamophobic move that has been described by both Democrats and Republicans as counterproductive to combating terrorism.

The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Show all 9 1 /9 The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the media White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer takes questions during the daily press briefing Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Union leaders applaud US President Donald Trump for signing an executive order withdrawing the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations during a meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington DC. Mr Trump issued a presidential memorandum in January announcing that the US would withdraw from the trade deal Getty The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Mexico wall A US Border Patrol vehicle sits waiting for illegal immigrants at a fence opening near the US-Mexico border near McAllen, Texas. The number of incoming immigrants has surged ahead of the upcoming Presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, who has pledged to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. A signature campaign promise, Mr Trump outlined his intention to build a border wall on the US-Mexico border days after taking office Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and abortion US President Donald Trump signs an executive order as Chief of Staff Reince Priebus looks on in the Oval Office of the White House. Mr Trump reinstated a ban on American financial aide being granted to non-governmental organizations that provide abortion counseling, provide abortion referrals, or advocate for abortion access outside of the United States Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Dakota Access pipeline Opponents of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines hold a rally as they protest US President Donald Trump's executive orders advancing their construction, at Columbus Circle in New York. US President Donald Trump signed executive orders reviving the construction of two controversial oil pipelines, but said the projects would be subject to renegotiation Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and 'Obamacare' Nancy Pelosi who is the minority leader of the House of Representatives speaks beside House Democrats at an event to protect the Affordable Care Act in Los Angeles, California. US President Donald Trump's effort to make good on his campaign promise to repeal and replace the healthcare law failed when Republicans failed to get enough votes. Mr Trump has promised to revisit the matter Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Donald Trump and 'sanctuary cities' US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January threatening to pull funding for so-called "sanctuary cities" if they do not comply with federal immigration law AP The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the travel ban US President Donald Trump has attempted twice to restrict travel into the United States from several predominantly Muslim countries. The first attempt, in February, was met with swift opposition from protesters who flocked to airports around the country. That travel ban was later blocked by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The second ban was blocked by a federal judge a day before it was scheduled to be implemented in mid-March SANDY HUFFAKER/AFP/Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and climate change US President Donald Trump sought to dismantle several of his predecessor's actions on climate change in March. His order instructed the Environmental Protection Agency to reevaluate the Clean Power Plan, which would cap power plant emissions Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

We may feel helpless in the face of this stomach-churning spectacle, but there are peaceful means of protest available to us all. Whether you’re strapped for time, unable to attend marches due to disability or simply not very good in crowds, there are different avenues to explore. You can pledge support to those penalised by Trump’s administration by signing petitions, organising fundraising events, explaining the situation to friends and family members, and by boycotting businesses that support Trump or were complicit in his election.

We should be proud that so many people in Britain have given up their time to march, to paint signs and to stand in solidarity with those all over the world who have been affected by Trump’s ill-conceived and vindictive policies.