Women's March organisers show solidarity with terror victims with Westminster Bridge vigil

Tribute: Members of the 'Women's March' rally on Westminster Bridge
EPA
Chloe Chaplain27 March 2017

Women who gathered in London in a show of solidarity with the victims of Wednesday's terror attack have spoken of the "overwhelming" emotion they felt standing on the bridge where people were mown down.

A group of women, who said they were wearing blue as a symbol of hope, stood holding hands for five minutes on Westminster Bridge as Big Ben chimed 4pm on Sunday.

People from a range of backgrounds joined the event, organised by Women's March On London.

Three members of the public died and many more were injured after Khalid Masood sped along the bridge before storming the parliamentary estate and stabbing to death a police officer.

Activists: The women held hands along the bridge
AFP/Getty Images

Fariha Khan, 40, a GP from Surbiton, said: "The feeling of what happened here on Wednesday was really strong.

"We thought of the ordinary people who were here and were mown down, standing here like this, it was very overwhelming."

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She was joined by fellow Ahmadiyya Muslims who said they wanted to add to the condemnation of the violent attack and stand defiant in the face of terrorism.

Sarah Waseem, 57, from Surrey, said: "When an attack happens in London, it is an attack on me.

"It is an attack on all of us. Islam totally condemns violence of any sort. This is abhorrent to us."

Being present for the demonstration shows people in the city are united in support of democracy, said Ayesha Malik.

Tribute: Women activists wearing blue hold hands on Westminster Bridge in front of the Houses of Parliament to honour the victims of the March 22 attack
AFP/Getty Images

The 34-year-old mother-of-two, also from Surrey, said: "As a visible Muslim I think it was important to show solidarity with the principles that we all hold dear, the principles of plurality, diversity and so on."

Londoner Mary Bennett said she was present to make a "small gesture".

The retired healthcare worker said: "I am here to show that in a quiet way we continue to go where we like and do what we like in London.

"This is my city. It's a very small gesture but life is made up of small gestures."

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