Dear Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland,

This week, on January 30th, tens of thousands of people marched in Scotland against Donald Trump’s ban on Muslims from parts of the Middle East and North Africa entering the United States and in opposition to his state visit to the UK. The people of Scotland have sent a clear message that Trump’s Islamophobia, racism, xenophobia, sexism, and the man himself, are not welcome here.

As you are aware, Trump has significant business interests in Scotland, which includes the operation of Trump International Golf Links Scotland. The Trump Organization's Menie golf course, in particular, has been a site of local contestation for the past decade. Trump has described this course, run by Trump International Golf Links, as “the greatest golf course in the world” [1]. Trump has also contested plans for renewable energy in the area, which were pushed forward by the Scottish Government.

Trump has proven himself an unsafe and unlawful steward of the land he owns. His Organization, which he maintains ownership of even as President of the United States [2], has infringed on Scottish citizens' right to roam [3], right to safe water [5] and right to privacy [4], alongside failing on planning application requirements [5]. His ownership of land in Scotland is detrimental to the Scottish people and its democracy.

Therefore we, the undersigned, call on you to freeze the Trump Organization's assets in Scotland. We call on you to undertake this dramatic action, to show the world that Scotland will not stand for Trump’s fascistic approach to national politics and international relations – that Scotland does not trade with fascists, and that we reject his ownership of Scottish land.

Trump’s properties could be acquired by Compulsory Purchase Orders, and redistributed to local communities, in order that they are put to use for public good. It would be a significant act of international solidarity if these resources, next to financial resources, were used to support refugees resettled in Scotland.

We understand that these are extra-ordinary times, and call on you to take dramatic action against the business interests of fascists in Scotland, and against Islamophobia on this side of the globe.

References:
[1] The Scotsman, ‘Defeated Donald Trump turns his back on Scotland’ (12 February 2014). http://www.scotsman.com/news/environment/defeated-donald-trump-turns-his-back-on-scotland-1-3301941
[2] BBC News, 'Trump hands over business empire to sons' (12 January 2017) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-38587628
[3] The Ferret, 'Police accused Trump resort of getting access law wrong' (31 January 2017) https://theferret.scot/police-trump-failing-access-law/
[4] The Guardian, 'UK golf resort owned by Trump summonsed for alleged privacy breach' (31 October 2016) https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/oct/31/uk-golf-resort-owned-donald-trump-summonsed-alleged-privacy-breach
[5] The Independent, 'Trump fails to create promised jobs and investment in Scotland, locals say' (7 January 2016) http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/trump-fails-to-create-promised-jobs-and-investment-in-scotland-locals-say-a6801466.html