Thousands gathered Tuesday in Albert Square, outside Manchester town hall, to mourn the victims of Monday’s suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert.
MANCHESTER, England — Under bright sunshine, people of different faiths and backgrounds came together Tuesday to mourn the victims of a suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert Monday night.
«The people of Manchester will remember the victims forever and we will defy the terrorists by working together to create cohesive, diverse communities that are stronger together. We are the many, they are the few, » said Manchester’s Lord Mayor Eddy Newman, kicking off a ceremony of thousands gathered in Albert Square, outside Manchester town hall.
Britain’s Home Secretary Amber Rudd and opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn were also in attendance, along with representatives from the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths.
«I have lived in Manchester for 12 years and I love this city. The people are amazing, » said Paul Shovelton, who brought his three dogs Kai, George and Dorus. The Hungarian Vizslas barked a few times during the speeches.
«I keep telling people that whatever you are doing this weekend come to Manchester: shop, spend, eat, there’s no reason to stay at home, » Shovelton added.
For the Carneys, a family of four from Stockport, part of Greater Manchester County, it was a teachable moment.
«With social media, the kids knew about the attack from the start. Years ago you probably wouldn’t want to tell your kids, but now they see it on their phones, on Instagram and things like that. It was important that we sat them down and talked to them and showed them it was important to stick together and not be afraid, » said dad Darren.
«It’s made me feel worried and scared, » said his daughter Alice, 9.
«That’s exactly why we needed to bring them here today, » interjected her mother, Claire. «To show them — I mean just look at the turnout here at this vigil — there are far more good people in the world than bad.»
Many were moved to tears during a minute’s silence for the 22 victims, the youngest of whom so far confirmed killed is 8. Victim Saffie Rose Roussos was described by her teacher earlier as «simply a beautiful little girl in every aspect of the word.»
Perhaps the most memorable moment of Tuesday’s vigil came during a reading by Tony Walsh, a poet who goes by the name «Longfella.’
«This is the place» paid tribute to Manchester for its historic role in the Industrial Revolution, and more recently as a culturally diverse city whose soccer teams and popular music bands are known worldwide.
«This is the place. In the north-west of England. It’s ace, it’s the best. And the songs that we sing from the stands, from our bands. Set the whole planet shaking. Our inventions are legends. There’s (nothing) we can’ t make, and so we make brilliant music. We make brilliant bands. We make goals that make souls leap from seats in the stands, » Walsh read.
«This is a place that has been through some hard times: oppressions, recessions, depressions, and dark times. But we keep fighting back with Greater Manchester spirit. Northern grit, Northern wit, and Greater Manchester’s lyrics.»
