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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)
4.39pm GMT
16:39
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/WDxrDDFK0l
4.25pm GMT
16:25
Lammy: 'We're living in a dictatorship'
Carmen Fishwick
Tottenham MP David Lammy is another speaker at the protest in Parliament Square.
He tells the crowd that there is a way back ino 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.
“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.
4.15pm GMT
16:15
Writer and commentator Bonnie Greer tweets:
Thanked every cop I saw : #UniteForEuropeOn the job-the @metpoliceuk #TheMet#MarchForEurope2017 pic-@Otto_Englishpic.twitter.com/SBaDoQsIyC
4.05pm GMT
16:05
Carmen Fishwick
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’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.”
2.21pm GMT
14:21
Barrister Jo Maugham is now addressing the crowd in Westminster.
Defiance from @JolyonMaugham “Anyone who says they know what the popular mood is is lying. What will make Brexit happen is if you give up.”
2.14pm GMT
14:14
Farron: 'We are defiant'
Dan Roberts
Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron cemented his growing role as the political leader of the Remain movement with a well-received address to the Unite For Europe march in Parliament Square.
Interestingly he claimed to speak not just for the 48% who voted against Brexit, but also many of those who did. “We are here to show solidarity and respect for those who voted leave. We do not believe they wanted this. [Theresa May] does not speak for 52% she barely speaks for 5%.”
He also voiced the mood of many of those in the crowd about their right to be in this place just days after the terrorist attack this week. “We are defiant against those who would seek us to be afraid about last Wednesday,” he said. “We are also defiant because democracy did not end on the 23rd of June,” added Farron.
Earlier the sound of Big Ben striking 145pm marked the end of a minute’s silence among a sombre but determined crowd.
“We will never be cowed, we are here to stand for our beliefs,” added Labour MEP Seb Dance.
2.10pm GMT
14:10
Farron to cheers: “We are not giving up this week of all weeks. We here are as testament that we refuse to despair. Britain can be better."
2.01pm GMT
14:01
Dan Roberts
Speakers have been taking to the stage in Parliament Square.
#uniteforeurope speaker Seb Dance MEP says: "It's not us who need to confront reality. It's the Brexiteers" says no mandate for hard brexit
Lib Dem's Tim Farron next at #uniteforeurope march says Theresa May makes Nigel Farage look like a moderate by choosing most extreme Brexit.
Updated
at 2.03pm GMT
1.45pm GMT
13:45
The front of the #uniteforEurope demo has reached Parliament Square now and many of the marchers are placing yellow flowers at the memorial. pic.twitter.com/bD48yryHTy
Updated
at 1.45pm GMT
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.