Thousands remember victims of terror attack

A week on, show of defiance onWestminster Bridge

Thousands of people, from police officers to faith leaders and members of the public, have linked hands onWestminster Bridge in a show of defiance a week after the terror attack in the capital.

The Hands Across Westminster Bridge vigil sought to show that “we will not be divided”, linking “all nations, faiths, orientation and sexes”, organisers said.

Officers who attended the scene of the attack were urged to “come to pay their respects, as well as victims, witnesses and anyone else”, according to a statement on the Metropolitan Pol i c e Federation website.

The bridge, still adorned with floral tributes, was closed to traffic.

Nurses and doctors from StThomas’Hospital, where many of the injured were treated, joined those on the bridge.

School children aged nine and 10 from Al Sadiq and Al Zahra Schools clasped yellow roses and held signs which read “Islam says no to terror” and “please don’t kill innocent people” as they walked across the bridge.

Hundreds of members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association were on the bridge wearing T-shirts with the message “I am a Muslim, ask me anything”.

Zafir Malik from the association said they were asked by the police to come along to show solidarity, and that they wanted to “show that what happened here last week had nothing to do with the so- called religious aspect that this has been given”.

“Ithasnothing todowith Islam, nothing to do with what we believe in and preach on a daily basis.

“We’re here to show that we are united with our fellow countrymen and remembering those who have fallen, especially PC Keith Palmer. We are here and showing our solidarity for the country.”

Vigils were also held across the country to coincide with the Westminster event.

Those gathered on the bridge fell silent at 2.40pm - the time the first call was made to police exactly seven days ago.

Rain began to fall as the vigil paused for a minute’s silence for the victims on the bridge, in the shadow of the Palace of Westminster, where the deadly attack took place.

Police officers also held a minute's silence outside New Scotland Yard.

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VIGIL: People hold hands in solidarity on London’s Westminster Bridge a week since the terror attack as right, police officers hold flowers in remembrance