The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Muslims hand out symbols of love at site of London Bridge terror attack
Group Hives AwAy 1,000 roses in show of solidArity
Londoners and tourists have been handed flowers as a symbol of love at the site of the latest terrorist attack in the UK.
A group of British Muslims gave 3,000 roses to people on London Bridge in a demonstration of solidarity following the van and knife rampage that left eight people dead and dozens injured.
“After the events of last weekend we are making a symbolic gesture of love for the communities affected by the attack,” said Zakia Bassou, one of the organisers of yesterday’s event. “The whole concept is: we are not going to let London Bridge, or any bridge, fall down.”
Londoner Elida Ercolano was visibly emotional after receiving her rose.
“I think it’s lovely, it’s what London is actually about as a city,” she said.
“It’s what people should remember despite what’s gone on. It’s a great symbol and of nothing else it’s bringing people together.
“It’s very easy to believe the fear but boil it down and we are actually, in the main, good people and we should remember that.”
June Collis, from Gillingham, Dorset, said it was “beautiful and lovely to see this group come out and share their love against all the horrible things that have happened”.
“Muslims need to speak up and go against the extremists,” she added.
“This is a good way of speaking up for themselves. Let’s just hope we don’t see any more of these horrible killings.”
David Hackett, visiting the capital from Durham, said he found the event “very touching”.
“It’s great to see people giving such a beautiful thing to demonstrate the love people have for each other,” he said.
Nancy Cannata, 61, from Massachusetts in the US, said: “There are good and bad people in every religion, and I wish people could realise that.”