Welcome back to Autistic Lincs!

This past week has been filled with love and positivity.

In a week where England's World Cup dreams were brought to an end, it seems that sometimes in order for us to come together as one we need a focal point to rally around. The togetherness that I saw around the support for our national team was echoed in the way that people came together to show their distaste for Donald Trump.

At the time of going to press, I do not know what has been said about the Pro-Trump protest and march on Saturday 14th July, but I formed part of the Anti-Trump protest AKA The Carnival Of Resistance and as always I speak as one autistic man.

Against the background of sexism, fascism, racism and floods of discimination that have become hallmarks of President Donald Trump, people came together to bring compassion, acceptance and community to the forefront of the minds of the people London, the United Kingdom and the world.

We assembled at Portland Place outside the BBC and two things stood out to me as both wonderful and woeful.

On the positive side was the mass of signs including 'Dump Trump' and one of my favourites 'Impeach The Orange.' The sense of a refusal to indulge such a hateful regime, not just the man himself, was uplifting.

Considering where I and many autistic people stand on President Donald Trump, the second thing I noticed was much more disheartening.

I could not see ONE charity for autistic people. No NAS. No Scope. No Ambitious About Autism.

All of these charities supposedly speak for us or amplify our voices yet where were they when it mattered?

This was an historic moment for autistic people to say "No" to elitism and division.

If you are a charity in Spalding or working with any of the aforementioned charities then perhaps you will know a reason that prohibits their involvement. But as an autistic man who has struggled to find his place in a world that conforms and keeps you from flourishing, I am insulted.

Charities, certainly those I directly refer to, are inherently political, and they have worked with our government before so I was extremely disheartened to realise that their presence was not visible.

Disheartened but not defeated.

What was visible, however, were the bright colours, inventiveness and vigour with which the United Kingdom celebrated and vocalised its cause.

The cause is, ironically, a result of the effects of President Donald Trump's words and actions.

Following the initial assembly, we marched from Portland Place to Parliament Square and I enjoyed various performances from singers, dancers and the many speakers.

This format continued into the night, when the crowds ambled towards Trafalgar Square. Dawn Butler MP and David Lammy MP were particularly impressive as they called powerfully for change and solidarity.

It was refreshing to see politicians utilising their position of power in such a way - I know I have been critical in the past (Politics And Power Plays, March 25th, Lincs Free Press, Autistic Lincs).

I loved so many people performing and speaking but I want to draw attention to the multiple speeches which made the point that although Donald Trump, the figure, represents an oppressive and destructive regime, we must remain focused on issues and regimes closer to home as well.

Hate crime? Here in the UK.

Discrimination? Here in the UK.

Public service cuts? Here in the UK.

Widespread unemployment? Here in the UK.

Fake 'cures' and harmful 'treatments? Here in the UK.

Despite all of the negativity coming from Trump, I am confident that, as David Lammy MP said, I am on 'the right side of history' or in the theme of President Donald Trump's orange complexion often mocked, the right 'slice' of history.

Because when life gives you oranges, take a segment of solidarity and change the world one piece at a time.