Reuters photo
By
Hazel Speed
The morning after. The United Kingdom is hurting, but the words from all today is that terrorism will not deter democracy, as can be seen by the earlier clip in Parliament.
Respect was shown for those who had been killed, and who were injured, also sympathy for their families and loved ones.
Then the Prime Minister and MPs were determined it would be ‘business as usual’ whilst the authorities pursued enquiries and made arrests.
It was said that Mrs May had visited the injured in hospital and people from at least twelve countries were sadly caught up within Wednesday’s tragic event, a few having lost their lives. Their individual stories are moving, and these people were all in London for diverse reasons, such as to celebrate an anniversary, etc.
The photographs in the UK papers showed the injured whilst they were lying on Westminster Bridge, strangers and ambulance staff rushing to their aid; these images provided narrative without the need for words.
An appropriate Police tribute was paid to PC Keith Palmer, who gave his life protecting those in Parliament. A special moment for his colleagues to display their respect and lay flowers in front of New Scotland Yard.
PC Keith Palmer’s shoulder number will not be re-issued but retired as a mark of respect, and in another clip herein, one can hear a request being made in Parliament (by his friend, obviously emotionally affected), for the Prime Minister to consider an appropriate posthumous Award for this courageous Police Constable.
Westminster Bridge has now re-opened, meanwhile the Union Flag above Parliament flies at half-mast.
Berlin’s famous Gate had a holograph of the Union Flag and Wednesday evening the Eiffel Tower turned off its lights in respect. Thank you to both countries. It means so much to the British people at this time of tragedy, I know.
It is fitting that on Thursday evening there was a candlelight vigil in Trafalgar Square and The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan and Minister Amber Rudd, supported by politicians, high ranking Police representatives and ordinary people all bowed their heads for a minute’s silence.
There was great stillness and quiet whilst candles were being lit. Three candles were on the steps in the centre of Trafalgar Square representing those who have died.
The crowd was solemn out of respect and people were bonding through adversity. All faiths, creeds and religions were sharing in this poignant mark of respect at Trafalgar Square by lighting their own candles from the light of the three main candles.
I spoke to a stranger on a London train who happened to be a Police Officer going back to work – they had all been so upset at the loss of their colleague, but in a similar sense of duty as PC Palmer, they told us all to please take care wherever we were going. It struck me that even at a time such as this, duty to protect others was always their priority as it had been for their fallen colleague.
That view from Trafalgar Square, with its famous Nelson’s Column looking straight at Big Ben and Parliament, via Whitehall, where No 10 Downing Street is located, were both being linked in thought and prayers that evening, the twilight now darkened, yet the lit candles at Trafalgar Square seemed to speak to the lit clock face of Big Ben, as if each is a comfort for the other.
TV news presenters were visibly moved by this and found it difficult to give their reports. No wonder.
Hazel Speed
Photo (c) Hazel Speed – used by kind permision to Tuck Magazine
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