This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2017/mar/25/brexit-protest-thousands-march-in-london-to-unite-for-europe-live

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 10 Version 11
Brexit protest: thousands march in London to 'unite for Europe' - as it happened Brexit protest: thousands march in London to 'unite for Europe' – as it happened
(about 3 hours later)
4.48pm GMT4.48pm GMT
16:4816:48
We are wrapping up our live coverage of the Unite for Europe march today - thanks for reading.We are wrapping up our live coverage of the Unite for Europe march today - thanks for reading.
4.44pm GMT4.44pm GMT
16:4416:44
Nick Clegg: ‘Perpetual sense of anger’Nick Clegg: ‘Perpetual sense of anger’
Dan RobertsDan Roberts
Nick Clegg wraps up the rally with a blistering speech that almost persuades Alistair Campbell to forget the coalition.Nick Clegg wraps up the rally with a blistering speech that almost persuades Alistair Campbell to forget the coalition.
“Thank you for standing for the principles of openness, tolerance and pluralism ... and a European Union that of course is not perfect but has done so much for protecting us from tyranny,” he tells the crowd.“Thank you for standing for the principles of openness, tolerance and pluralism ... and a European Union that of course is not perfect but has done so much for protecting us from tyranny,” he tells the crowd.
“Like many of you I was profoundly saddened by the outcome of the referendum but that sadness has given way to a perpetual sense of anger about the choices that Theresa May and her government have taken since.”“Like many of you I was profoundly saddened by the outcome of the referendum but that sadness has given way to a perpetual sense of anger about the choices that Theresa May and her government have taken since.”
“It was a choice to pull us out of the customs union, it was a choice to embark on that demeaning bout of transatlantic obsequiousness,” Clegg explains, as he accuses the prime minister of “threatening to turn our country into a bargain basement cowboy economy”.“It was a choice to pull us out of the customs union, it was a choice to embark on that demeaning bout of transatlantic obsequiousness,” Clegg explains, as he accuses the prime minister of “threatening to turn our country into a bargain basement cowboy economy”.
And that’s it for the day. Campbell receives a polite round of applause as he sends the crowd home with the exhortation: “keep fighting to keep Britain in Europe”.And that’s it for the day. Campbell receives a polite round of applause as he sends the crowd home with the exhortation: “keep fighting to keep Britain in Europe”.
4.39pm GMT4.39pm GMT
16:3916:39
There have also been anti-Brexit protests in Madrid today, as Guardian contributing editor Giles Tremlett tweets:There have also been anti-Brexit protests in Madrid today, as Guardian contributing editor Giles Tremlett tweets:
Brits gathering in Madrid, Spain protest to keep ALL RIGHTS postBrexit @RobertsDan @cajuk pic.twitter.com/WDxrDDFK0lBrits gathering in Madrid, Spain protest to keep ALL RIGHTS postBrexit @RobertsDan @cajuk pic.twitter.com/WDxrDDFK0l
4.25pm GMT4.25pm GMT
16:2516:25
Lammy: 'We're living in a dictatorship'Lammy: 'We're living in a dictatorship'
Carmen FishwickCarmen Fishwick
Tottenham MP David Lammy tells the Guardian there is a way back into the EU for Britain. “In the end this is about the people. We’re hearing a lot of stuff about the will of the people and it’s complete spin,” he says.Tottenham MP David Lammy tells the Guardian there is a way back into the EU for Britain. “In the end this is about the people. We’re hearing a lot of stuff about the will of the people and it’s complete spin,” he says.
“There are a lot of people against Brexit in this country, and people are changing their mind. We’re even seeing Labour wobbling and wondering why we’re here. We’re here because of a lot of anti-immigration rhetoric.“There are a lot of people against Brexit in this country, and people are changing their mind. We’re even seeing Labour wobbling and wondering why we’re here. We’re here because of a lot of anti-immigration rhetoric.
“We’re living in a dictatorship. In democracies people are always allowed to change their minds. Over the coming months and years we will fight. Nigel Farage wouldn’t give up. Labour needs to rediscover its mojo, and quickly,” Lammy adds.“We’re living in a dictatorship. In democracies people are always allowed to change their minds. Over the coming months and years we will fight. Nigel Farage wouldn’t give up. Labour needs to rediscover its mojo, and quickly,” Lammy adds.
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.45pm GMTat 4.45pm GMT
4.15pm GMT4.15pm GMT
16:1516:15
Writer and commentator Bonnie Greer tweets:Writer and commentator Bonnie Greer tweets:
Thanked every cop I saw : #UniteForEuropeOn the job-the @metpoliceuk #TheMet#MarchForEurope2017 pic-@Otto_Englishpic.twitter.com/SBaDoQsIyCThanked every cop I saw : #UniteForEuropeOn the job-the @metpoliceuk #TheMet#MarchForEurope2017 pic-@Otto_Englishpic.twitter.com/SBaDoQsIyC
4.05pm GMT4.05pm GMT
16:0516:05
Carmen FishwickCarmen Fishwick
Edward Farquharson, 54, says he attended the march to make his voice heard.Edward Farquharson, 54, says he attended the march to make his voice heard.
“I don’t believe in Brexit. I think the views of those who wanted to remain should also be heard. It’s a tragedy.“I don’t believe in Brexit. I think the views of those who wanted to remain should also be heard. It’s a tragedy.
“I’m worried about the economy - it’s going to be a disaster. I suspect we’ll end up where we are today, having spent a lot of money and effort. We’re going to have to sign lots and lots of little agreements, and spend huge amounts of money.”“I’m worried about the economy - it’s going to be a disaster. I suspect we’ll end up where we are today, having spent a lot of money and effort. We’re going to have to sign lots and lots of little agreements, and spend huge amounts of money.”
3.48pm GMT3.48pm GMT
15:4815:48
Carmen FishwickCarmen Fishwick
Sid Mohandas, 33, teacher and researcher, attended the march with his husband Jayson Gillham, 30.Sid Mohandas, 33, teacher and researcher, attended the march with his husband Jayson Gillham, 30.
Mohandas was born in India and previously lived in the US and Sweden before Britain. “I’m against Brexit and its divisive values. I want a second referendum, to make my voice heard and support people who are a minority,” he says.Mohandas was born in India and previously lived in the US and Sweden before Britain. “I’m against Brexit and its divisive values. I want a second referendum, to make my voice heard and support people who are a minority,” he says.
“I am representing a minority. I am an immigrant. I feel I’ve experienced racism and homophobia and I feel the values that are behind Brexit are representative of those.“I am representing a minority. I am an immigrant. I feel I’ve experienced racism and homophobia and I feel the values that are behind Brexit are representative of those.
“I’m worried about society, that people’s voices will get crowded out, and diversity. White nationalism is disturbing. Me and my husband got married last year. We don’t know what’s going to happen. Things that we thought wouldn’t happen have.”“I’m worried about society, that people’s voices will get crowded out, and diversity. White nationalism is disturbing. Me and my husband got married last year. We don’t know what’s going to happen. Things that we thought wouldn’t happen have.”
3.36pm GMT3.36pm GMT
15:3615:36
Edinburgh protestEdinburgh protest
Good turnout at #MarchForEurope in #Edinburgh 🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/iK5QUofiMDGood turnout at #MarchForEurope in #Edinburgh 🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/iK5QUofiMD
More than 1,000 protesters have taken to the streets of Edinburgh in a simultaneous anti-Brexit protest organised by the city’s Young European Movement.More than 1,000 protesters have taken to the streets of Edinburgh in a simultaneous anti-Brexit protest organised by the city’s Young European Movement.
Marchers gathered in the city centre and headed to the Scottish parliament, waving EU and Scottish flags and carrying placards reading “We want EU to stay” and “In business lying is a crime, why not in politics?”Marchers gathered in the city centre and headed to the Scottish parliament, waving EU and Scottish flags and carrying placards reading “We want EU to stay” and “In business lying is a crime, why not in politics?”
Among those giving speeches were Green MSP Ross Greer, Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP from the Liberal Democrats, SNP MPs Tommy Sheppard and Joanna Cherry.Among those giving speeches were Green MSP Ross Greer, Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP from the Liberal Democrats, SNP MPs Tommy Sheppard and Joanna Cherry.
Young European Movement Edinburgh chairman Jean Francois-Poncet said: “We want to raise the issue in British and Scottish people’s lives that you have lies in the referendum campaign that people were not held accountable for and, whether you voted Remain or Leave, that is a real issue.”Young European Movement Edinburgh chairman Jean Francois-Poncet said: “We want to raise the issue in British and Scottish people’s lives that you have lies in the referendum campaign that people were not held accountable for and, whether you voted Remain or Leave, that is a real issue.”
3.20pm GMT3.20pm GMT
15:2015:20
Carmen FishwickCarmen Fishwick
Fiamette Porri, 50, is from Italy, and met her husband Donald Thompson, 55, at a London nightclub 19 years ago this month.Fiamette Porri, 50, is from Italy, and met her husband Donald Thompson, 55, at a London nightclub 19 years ago this month.
“Soon I will have to get my daughter [Chiara, 12] an Italian pasport. I don’t know what to do [about UK citizenship]. I need to decide, but I’ve heard it’s a long waiting list and they can send your application back for small things. It’s 85 pages to fill,” Porri says.“Soon I will have to get my daughter [Chiara, 12] an Italian pasport. I don’t know what to do [about UK citizenship]. I need to decide, but I’ve heard it’s a long waiting list and they can send your application back for small things. It’s 85 pages to fill,” Porri says.
“I know lots of people in this situation. They’re breaking families. The atmosphere is suddenly that maybe you think I wasn’t that welcome here in the first place. I came here 20 years ago because there were opportunities, but at the same time I contributed to being here: working, never took benefits, I pay taxes. And of course I was young then, but now, where do I go?”“I know lots of people in this situation. They’re breaking families. The atmosphere is suddenly that maybe you think I wasn’t that welcome here in the first place. I came here 20 years ago because there were opportunities, but at the same time I contributed to being here: working, never took benefits, I pay taxes. And of course I was young then, but now, where do I go?”
3.13pm GMT3.13pm GMT
15:1315:13
Dan RobertsDan Roberts
Alastair Campbell tells the Remain movement not to give up: “When you see a car heading toward a cliff, you don’t keep driving.Alastair Campbell tells the Remain movement not to give up: “When you see a car heading toward a cliff, you don’t keep driving.
“The media in this country is a right-wing cartel of tax-dodgers that pretends to speak for their readers when they speak for themselves and their own vested interest,” he adds.“The media in this country is a right-wing cartel of tax-dodgers that pretends to speak for their readers when they speak for themselves and their own vested interest,” he adds.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.13pm GMTat 3.13pm GMT
3.08pm GMT3.08pm GMT
15:0815:08
More from Alastair Campbell:More from Alastair Campbell:
"I know I am in a minority in thinking Brexit can be stopped, but I'm not in a minority in thinking that it should be," says @campbellclaret"I know I am in a minority in thinking Brexit can be stopped, but I'm not in a minority in thinking that it should be," says @campbellclaret
2.39pm GMT2.39pm GMT
14:3914:39
Tens of thousands of anti-Brexit demonstrators fell silent at Parliament Square in tribute to the victims of the Westminster attack.Tens of thousands of anti-Brexit demonstrators fell silent at Parliament Square in tribute to the victims of the Westminster attack.
The first speaker, Alastair Campbell, said: “Before we talk about Brexit, before we call on any of the speakers, we need to recognise that something really bad happened not far from here just the other day.”The first speaker, Alastair Campbell, said: “Before we talk about Brexit, before we call on any of the speakers, we need to recognise that something really bad happened not far from here just the other day.”
Campaigners stood with their heads bowed for a minute-long silence, with the only sound the chiming of Big Ben.Campaigners stood with their heads bowed for a minute-long silence, with the only sound the chiming of Big Ben.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.21pm GMTat 3.21pm GMT
2.32pm GMT2.32pm GMT
14:3214:32
Dan RobertsDan Roberts
More from campaigning lawyer Jo Maugham, who says his recent legal action is about giving people a democratic voice.More from campaigning lawyer Jo Maugham, who says his recent legal action is about giving people a democratic voice.
“Starting article 50 is like a journey, a journey we can turn back from,” he tells the Unite For Europe rally.“Starting article 50 is like a journey, a journey we can turn back from,” he tells the Unite For Europe rally.
He argues that much has changed already since the referendum was held: “Last year we voted in a very different world. We had no president who wanted to tear up the trade rules … or Nato. We did not know what Brexit means and we still do not know what Brexit means.”He argues that much has changed already since the referendum was held: “Last year we voted in a very different world. We had no president who wanted to tear up the trade rules … or Nato. We did not know what Brexit means and we still do not know what Brexit means.”
Maugham adds: “Anyone who says they know what the popular mood is and we should give up is lying to you. What will make Brexit happen is if you give up.”Maugham adds: “Anyone who says they know what the popular mood is and we should give up is lying to you. What will make Brexit happen is if you give up.”