'We will not hate each other': London women hold vigil in sign of solidarity

A group of women have held a silent vigil on Westminster Bridge in memory of the victims of Wednesday's attack.

Women have held a vigil on London's Westminster Bridge Source: Instagram/Burkegurl

Women have formed a chain across London’s Westminster Bridge in a show of solidarity, following last week’s fatal attack in which four people died.

The group stood in silence for five minutes, many wearing blue as a symbol of peace, bowing their heads in respect.

The event, coordinated by Women’s March London organisers, attracted around a hundred participants, with a tweet calling for women to “stand quietly for five minutes, (then) disperse”.

Activist Julie Siddiqi told The Guardian she has been encouraged by the public’s response to the attack.

“People have rejected hate and division,” she said.

“It sends a positive message that we need to reach out more, not less. What happened on Wednesday is terrible and tragic, but we will not let it define our relations – we can rise above that.”

Social media users have been tweeting their own responses to the vigil using the hashtag #WeStandTogether.

.@LajnaUK with @womensmarchlon showing solidarity on #WestminsterBridge #WeStandTogether #Ahmadiyya #TrueIslam pic.twitter.com/atfTXgidZn— Ahmadi Muslim Ladies (@LajnaBF) March 26, 2017