Women wear blue and hold hands on Westminster Bridge to condemn ‘abhorrent’ attack

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A group women gathered and held hands to show solidarity with the Westminster attack victims

They spoke of the "overwhelming" emotion they felt standing on the bridge where people were mown down.

The women, who said they were wearing blue as a symbol of hope, held hands for five minutes as Big Ben chimed 4pm yesterday.

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

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They wore blue as a symbol of hope and held hands for five minutes as Big Ben chimed

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

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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The women spoke of the 'overwhelming' emotion they felt standing on Westminster Bridge

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.

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

Sarah Waseem

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, added Ayesha Malik.

London, UK

People from a range of backgrounds joined the event that was organised by Women's March London

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."