Britons protest Brexit
Thousands take to the streets in London
LONDON — Tens of thousands protested Saturday under sunny skies in London against plans for Britain to withdraw from the European Union.
The Unite for Europe march, which saw many people carrying bright blue EU flags, came just days before Britain is expected to begin its formal separation from the other 27 nations in the EU.
Police did not provide a crowd estimate. Organizers said more than 25,000 people were present. There was also a smaller antiBrexit protest march in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Organizers considered delaying the long-planned march because of the attack — in part to avoid putting extra strain on British police — but decided to go ahead.
Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron told the crowd that “democracy continues” despite the assault.
“We stand in defiance of that attack,” he said.
Prime Minister Theresa May plans to trigger Article 50 of the EU treaty on Wednesday, setting the Brexit process in motion. Negotiations are expected to take at least two years.
Britain voted in a June 23 referendum to leave the EU.