A few days after the London terror attack, Londoners using the local Underground stations were greeted with solidarity messages, which were shared by many other tube stations.
London tube stations often display ‘quotes’ or ‘thought of the day’ but Thursday saw the service information signs feature messages of defiance against fear of terror, after the Westminster attack that left five people dead and 50 injured, two of whom are in critical condition.
At Tower Hill station, just a short walk down the River Thames where the attack took place in Westminster, a featured quote said: “The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of them all #LondonIsOpen #Westminster #WeAreNotAfraid.”
London Underground staff from Tottenham Court Road to Ealing Common also shared words of support with commuters using the service.
Speaking to CNN, a customer service assistant at Oval Station, Glen Sutherland said: “All TfL (Transport for London) staff pull together in times like this to be vigilant and to reassure everyone.”
Oval Station’s Thursday ‘thought of the day’ read: “You have to be at your strongest when you’re feeling at your weakest. Our condolences, our city, our diversity, our strength.”
An internet generated Tube sign also went viral on social media, and was read out by a Member of Parliament. The sign read: “All terrorists are politely reminded that THIS IS LONDON and whatever you do to us we will drink tea and jolly well carry on thank you.”
Prime Minister described the sign as a ‘wonderful tribute’ after it was referenced by Tory MP Simon Hoare.
Wednesday’s terror attack saw the assailant, Khalid Masood, 52, drive a car into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge, killing two people at the scene, while another succumbed to injuries in hospital. He then crashed the car outside parliament and stabbed an unarmed police officer. Police shot Masood as he tried to enter the building.
Theresa May said the attacker had been investigated in relation to violent extremism but was “not part of the current intelligence picture”.
In a statement in Parliament, May told MPs: “We are not afraid and our resolve will never waver in the face of terrorism.”
