Defiant London show it’s business as usual as they pay tributes to victims and head back to work
DEFIANT London showed it was business as usual yesterday, proving the city would not be cowed.
Thousands of commuters, some waving Union flags, streamed over the re-opened London Bridge.
Many joined a vigil for the victims yesterday evening.
And makeshift shrines sprang up around the area as everyone from children clutching teddy bears to construction workers paid their respects.
Flowers and handwritten notes were piled up around lamp-posts and traffic bollards on Tooley Street and Borough High Street.
One note read: “Your city. My city. Our London.”
Armed police and officers on horseback flanking the crowds were a reminder of the murderous knife rampage through busy bars and restaurants.
But despite warnings of severe travel disruption and increased security, the public were unbowed.
London Bridge Underground and mainline stations opened at 5am in time for the rush hour.
Many of those heading to work in the City paused to shake hands with police and thank them for their efforts.
Some cops wiped away tears as they were overcome by the sea of emotion.
And the city’s mood was neatly summed up in a tweet by a North London Turkish restaurant.
Mangal 2 in Stoke Newington posted: “Due to the terror attacks, we will be opening as usual today. Same food. Same customers. Because f*** you terrorism, that’s why.”
The tweet attracted more than 30,000 retweets and 11,000 likes.
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Mangal had previously tweeted: “London is the greatest city in the world. A plague couldn’t defeat it. War couldn’t defeat it. Terrorism stands no chance.”
Yesterday evening Londoners, tourists and schoolchildren gathered together in Potters Field Park next to City Hall for an emotional vigil.
Many among the multi-faith crowd held up signs calling for solidarity in the face of adversity.
One Muslim’s message read: “I am London. I am British. I am human.” Another stated: “We stand united with you.”
Another said: “You are in our hearts and prayers. We stand united with you. Terrorists ain’t no Muslims.”
And a group held posters spelling out: “We Love London.” Pupils in hijabs from Eden Girls’ School in Walthamstow, North East London, laid flowers.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan insisted: “London stands in defiance against the cowardly attack on our city, our people, our value and our way of life.
“I want to send a clear message to the sick and evil extremists who commit these hideous crimes. We will defeat you. You will not win. As a proud and patriotic British Muslim I say this: You do not commit these disgusting acts in my name.”
Mr Khan was flanked by Home Secretary Amber Rudd, shadow home secretary Diane Abbott, religious leaders including Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and emergency services representatives.
To roars of approval he went on: “Your perverse ideology has nothing to do with the true values of Islam and you will never succeed in dividing our city.
“Our city is filled with great sorrow and anger tonight, but also great resolve and determination because our unity and love for one another will always be stronger than the hate of the extremists.
“This is our city. These are our values and this is our way of life. London will never be broken by terrorism. We will step up the fight against extremism and we will defeat the terrorists.”
The crowd also reacted with bewilderment when foreign telly crews began asking whether the terror attacks had created division and strife in the city.
Charity worker Andy Smith, 38, who lives close to the scene of the attack in Borough, said: “I would hope England will not change and I don’t think it will.
“Today we are in shock and coming to terms with it but we have done it before and we will do it again. It just feels right to be here tonight.”
Estate agent Alana Brenikov, 25, said: “It would seem natural for there to be anger and divisions but from my experience it is not something I’m worried about. If anything, we will come closer together.”
Her friend Lydia Hamer, 26, said: “The terrorists won’t win. Something like this shows how much we really come together.”
Last night the public were warned security at transport hubs would remain high with some areas in London Bridge still cordoned off.
A Met Police spokesman said: “The public should expect to see extra police patrolling stations in London and the South East. You may also see some of our armed police officers at stations.”
Assistant commissioner Mark Rowley said a cordon would remain in place, adding: “We encourage the public to avoid the area as our investigation is ongoing.”
Security has also been increased at Guy’s Hospital in London Bridge and nearby St Thomas’ Hospital with patients needing photo ID.