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Brexit protest: thousands march in London to 'unite for Europe' - live Brexit protest: thousands march in London to 'unite for Europe' - live
(35 minutes later)
1.37pm GMT
13:37
Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commission’s president, has told French voters to remember the key role their country plays, together with the European Union, when they vote in next month’s presidential election in which the anti-EU candidate Marine Le Pen is a strong contender.
Juncker was asked at the EU summit in Rome about Le Pen’s antagonism toward the EU. He said “the role of France, together with the EU, is a central role” and must remain so.
“I’d tell the French, don’t forget to be France, which knows how to speak to the rest of the world.” He added: “I’d tell the French, stay French.”
1.29pm GMT
13:29
Former BBC correspondent turned academic James Rodgers tweets:
On the corner of Piccadilly and St James'. #UniteForEurope demo has been passing for at least 45 mins and still thousands to come pic.twitter.com/igj2PTKPIl
1.22pm GMT
13:22
After dreadful events of Wednesday feels very good to be in Parliament Square as part of a democratic demonstration #UniteForEurope pic.twitter.com/0o8Hnf6uCR
1.19pm GMT
13:19
On its 60th birthday, people from Sweden to Bulgaria speak their mind about whether the project is worth pursuing.
1.10pm GMT
13:10
Pertinent point from the Financial Times’ Jonathan Eley:
UKIP now has zero MPs. And to think Cameron called a referendum on a matter of huge importance to placate this shower.
1.06pm GMT
13:06
They call us #snowflakes because millions of us can create an avalanche. #MarchForEurope2017 #UniteForEurope pic.twitter.com/eA1WqFFxWn
1.01pm GMT1.01pm GMT
13:0113:01
Dan RobertsDan Roberts
The Unite for Europe march isn’t just for people it seems...The Unite for Europe march isn’t just for people it seems...
Bess watching the #unitedforeurope marchBess watching the #unitedforeurope march
A post shared by Dan Roberts (@danroberts73) on Mar 25, 2017 at 5:52am PDTA post shared by Dan Roberts (@danroberts73) on Mar 25, 2017 at 5:52am PDT
12.53pm GMT12.53pm GMT
12:5312:53
March for Europe in Warsaw#EU60 #PLinEU #loveEU #loveEurope pic.twitter.com/P4KayqkHjMMarch for Europe in Warsaw#EU60 #PLinEU #loveEU #loveEurope pic.twitter.com/P4KayqkHjM
Meanwhile in Warsaw, thousands have taken to the streets waving EU and Polish flags in a show of support for the union as leaders in Rome to mark the 60th anniversary of its founding treaty.Meanwhile in Warsaw, thousands have taken to the streets waving EU and Polish flags in a show of support for the union as leaders in Rome to mark the 60th anniversary of its founding treaty.
The rally in Warsaw, which is being held under the slogan “I Love You, Europe,” also comes as an expression of disapproval for the nationalist government in Warsaw.The government critics fear that a recent eurosceptic stance taken by the government could ultimately result in Poland leaving the EU. The Polish government denies that that is its aim.The rally in Warsaw, which is being held under the slogan “I Love You, Europe,” also comes as an expression of disapproval for the nationalist government in Warsaw.The government critics fear that a recent eurosceptic stance taken by the government could ultimately result in Poland leaving the EU. The Polish government denies that that is its aim.
Thousands of people began their demonstration by singing the European anthem, Ode to Joy, followed by the Polish national anthem. They plan to march to the royal castle in the city centre.Thousands of people began their demonstration by singing the European anthem, Ode to Joy, followed by the Polish national anthem. They plan to march to the royal castle in the city centre.
12.40pm GMT12.40pm GMT
12:4012:40
12.36pm GMT12.36pm GMT
12:3612:36
Greek-born lecturer and longtime London resident Lakis Zervoulis (right) and friends on the march today.Greek-born lecturer and longtime London resident Lakis Zervoulis (right) and friends on the march today.
12.26pm GMT12.26pm GMT
12:2612:26
Some very British signs from today’s march...Some very British signs from today’s march...
#UniteForEurope a good little selection pic.twitter.com/O2LNzeWG27#UniteForEurope a good little selection pic.twitter.com/O2LNzeWG27
12.23pm GMT12.23pm GMT
12:2312:23
Helena SmithHelena Smith
The Greek prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, who initially signalled that he would not sign the Rome declaration if it failed to acknowledge that European achievements applied to all, has said the EU is far from the place its founders dreamed of.The Greek prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, who initially signalled that he would not sign the Rome declaration if it failed to acknowledge that European achievements applied to all, has said the EU is far from the place its founders dreamed of.
“It is not the Europe that we dreamed of and wanted,” he said in a television interview. “But there is no doubt that we have to fight within it to change it.”“It is not the Europe that we dreamed of and wanted,” he said in a television interview. “But there is no doubt that we have to fight within it to change it.”
Greece, the eurozone’s weakest member, had initially refused to sign the declaration because of objections over the wording.Greece, the eurozone’s weakest member, had initially refused to sign the declaration because of objections over the wording.
Athens’ leftist-led government had demanded that the declaration be “enriched” with additional mention of European regulations protecting citizens’ labour rights – the major sticking point in stalled negotiations between Greece and the foreign lenders keeping the debt-stricken country afloat.Athens’ leftist-led government had demanded that the declaration be “enriched” with additional mention of European regulations protecting citizens’ labour rights – the major sticking point in stalled negotiations between Greece and the foreign lenders keeping the debt-stricken country afloat.
Tsipras said he had been assured protective rights applied to all “but it has to be seen in practice”.Tsipras said he had been assured protective rights applied to all “but it has to be seen in practice”.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.30pm GMTat 12.30pm GMT
12.09pm GMT12.09pm GMT
12:0912:09
And we're off. Crowd starts moving toward Green Park to the strains of "happy birthday to EU" pic.twitter.com/pJ7gnA7w8oAnd we're off. Crowd starts moving toward Green Park to the strains of "happy birthday to EU" pic.twitter.com/pJ7gnA7w8o
12.07pm GMT12.07pm GMT
12:0712:07
Carswell quits UkipCarswell quits Ukip
Some breaking news: Ukip’s only member of parliament, Douglas Carswell, has quit the party, announcing on his website that he will become an independent MP.Some breaking news: Ukip’s only member of parliament, Douglas Carswell, has quit the party, announcing on his website that he will become an independent MP.
Carswell, who defected from the Conservative party to Ukip in August 2014, said he was leaving the party “amicably, cheerfully and in the knowledge that we won”.Carswell, who defected from the Conservative party to Ukip in August 2014, said he was leaving the party “amicably, cheerfully and in the knowledge that we won”.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.08pm GMTat 12.08pm GMT
12.01pm GMT12.01pm GMT
12:0112:01
My fave so far #UniteForEurope #MarchForEurope2017 pic.twitter.com/ualCNctSFbMy fave so far #UniteForEurope #MarchForEurope2017 pic.twitter.com/ualCNctSFb
11.57am GMT
11:57
Juncker hails ‘optimistic mood’
The head of the European Commission said the EU’s 60th birthday declaration sets the scene for a growing mood of optimism.
Jean-Claude Juncker said after the leaders of 27 EU nations met that their Rome declaration was a good beginning for a wide-ranging discussion on the future of the bloc after Britain’s departure.
“The atmosphere is now such that we can approach this with confidence,” he said. “What we achieved in the days before Rome, and in the last few hours here in Rome, conveys something of an incipient optimistic mood because, contrary to what was assumed, there was no clash, no big dispute between several conceivable paths.”
Updated
at 11.58am GMT
11.53am GMT
11:53
More from Rome: EU leaders have signed the Rome declaration that enshrines the principle of a multi-speed bloc, allowing some nations can move ahead while others stay on the sidelines on specific issues.
The declaration, signed by 27 nations, said that “we will act together, at different paces and intensity where necessary, while moving in the same direction”.
The EU has often done that in practice in the past, with only 19 nations in the eurozone and not all members participating in the Schengen zone of borderless travel.
11.51am GMT
11:51
Dan Roberts
It appears that the start of the march has been delayed until noon at police request due to congestion. Buses are still arriving.
March steward tells me organisers expecting crowd of 16,000. Hoping for 20,000. Sounds about right to me. Angry heckling from motorists.
Updated
at 11.58am GMT
11.50am GMT
11:50
Daniel Boffey
The leaders of the 27 states that will make up the European Union after Britain’s departure have gathered in Rome to reaffirm their support for the bloc.
Sixty years after the formation of the EU, leaders from across the continent met in the Italian capital to mark the anniversary of the treaty that founded the European Economic Community, creating a common market and customs union.
The leaders of the 27 member states assembled on Saturday morning in the Orazi and Curiazi Hall of the Capitol, in the Piazza del Campidoglio, and were greeted by the European council president, Donald Tusk, the Italian prime minister, Paolo Gentilini, and Joseph Muscat, the prime minister of Malta, the state that holds the rotating presidency of the council of the EU.
11.38am GMT
11:38
Meanwhile in Rome, the leaders of European Union members - except Theresa May - have gathered to mark the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome. The treaty was the forerunner to what became the EU.
11.31am GMT
11:31
Dan Roberts
Large #UniteForEurope crowd gathered in Park Lane ready to start march. How large hard to tell from here. Not huge but not small either. pic.twitter.com/N8zGKQ1jGY
A spirited crowd of Brexit protesters gathered at Hyde Park Corner in spring sunshine for the start of the Unite For Europe march on parliament. Many were carrying yellow flowers to lay at the memorial for victims of the Westminster attacks.
All were carrying a message that they didn’t want their voices forgotten when Theresa May invokes Article 50 next week. “We want to show we are not alone,” said Rachael Shermaur, 51, who travelled from Devon last night. “We are not naive, but would like to remain optimists. If there is a public protest, then in some way that message might get through.”
11.22am GMT
11:22
Matt Kamen, who writes for the Observer and Wired among others, is at the Unite for Europe march.
Well, quite. #UniteForEurope #StopBrexit #EU4ME pic.twitter.com/xy7ge5dhGB
11.19am GMT
11:19
David Lammy, the Labour MP for Tottenham in north London, tweets:
Don't mourn, organise. Will be speaking at #UniteForEurope later. See you there.
11.17am GMT
11:17
Dan Roberts, our Brexit policy editor, is live tweeting the march:
Crowd beginning the gather in Park Lane for the Unite For Europe march on parliament. Sun shining, positive atmosphere, lots of EU flags pic.twitter.com/EiwVgLCz0n
Many of the #uniteforeurope marchers on Brexit rally carrying yellow flowers to lay at the memorial to terrorist victims outside parliament pic.twitter.com/UeBbeOlPD5
Rachael Shermaur from Devon is one of many to have travelled some way for #uniteforeurope march, says she want to show the 48% are not alone pic.twitter.com/5bM20Z6KR0
10.58am GMT
10:58
Chris Johnston
Welcome to our live coverage of the Unite for Europe march in central London today. The protest is being held just days before the prime minister is expected to trigger Article 50, which will formally notify Brussels of the UK’s intention to leave the European Union.
It is also the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome, which established the European Economic Community- the forerunner of the EU.
The march will set off from Park Lane outside the Hilton hotel and travel along Piccadilly, Pall Mall and Whitehall before ending at Parliament Square.
Include the hashtag #UniteforEurope on your tweets and you might see them on the live blog.