London’s message to terrorists - we are not afraid
Tens of thousands of messages flooded social media yesterday with the hashtag #WeAreNotAfraid, as Londoners pledged that the terror attack would not affect their daily lives.
About 5000 people congregated in Trafalgar Square, less than a kilometre from the scene of the attack. Home Secretary Amber Rudd and London Mayor Sadiq Khan stood before a table of lit candles and addressed the vigil. The crowd applauded and cheered as Khan said: ‘‘We have come together to spread a clear message: Londoners will never be cowed by terrorism.’’
Staff in blue high-visibility jackets assisted members of the public who were in tears. The vigil was guarded by scores of police, many armed. One policewoman said crowds of people had come up to her and her colleague to thank them for their work.
About 60 people from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, many wearing ‘‘I’m a Muslim, ask me anything’’ T-shirts, offered to talk to strangers about Islam. Abdul Quddus, 27, an imam from Wimbledon, said: ‘‘We wanted to show solidarity. I’m a Londoner. My religion teaches me that loving your nation is part of your faith. We want to correct misconceptions that overshadow Islam.’’
He said most responses had been positive, and only one person had shouted at him that Islam was linked with terror.
In a city that has seen bombings, attacks and plots since the time of Guy Fawkes, Londoners went about their business. Schona Jolly, a QC, tweeted: ‘‘London carries on calmly. Don’t buy the ‘shut down’ story. Our city is as determined, dignified and open as ever. #WeAreNotAfraid.’’
Many shared images on social media of business as usual in London, with commuters on Tube platforms and people shopping near Oxford St. The British Museum reported that visitor numbers had held up well and that it ‘‘felt like a normal day’’ with tourists and school groups.
Londoners and tourists returned to Westminster Bridge when it reopened to walk the same pavement where many were injured. Parliamentary staff came out to lay flowers.
Impromptu tribute sites sprang up around the police cordon in Westminster. Many London Underground stations also bore messages of solidarity on their noticeboards.
People also shared images of London during the Blitz in World War II, including a woman drinking tea atop a pile of rubble, with the message: ‘‘Dear terrorists. This is the spirit you are trying to break. You won’t succeed.’’
- The Times