PledgeBank United States
I’ll do it, but only if you’ll help

Pledge “solidarity”

"I will at the earliest opportunity, assemble in London in a public demonstration of respect to the victims of the July 7 atrocity, defiance of the murderers who carried it out and solidarity with the people of London but only if 2,500 other people will do the same."

— The Sharpener team (contact)

Deadline to sign up by: 15^th July 2005
502 people signed up, 1998 more were needed

Country: United Kingdom

More details
In the aftermath of the Madrid bombings in 2004, millions of Spaniards took to the streets to show their solidarity with those who had suffered and to show those who had committed these terrible acts that the people would not live in fear.

We at The Sharpener have no experience of organising marches. This pledge is to start the popular movement, to make people remember that the streets of London belong to them and not to terrorists.

We hope very much, that with support pledged here, a kind and knowledgeable person will take up the reins and give us all this opportunity to come together.

Comments on this pledge

• It'll be a pleasure & a privilege to share a beer or two with these stalwart chaps before, during & after the demonstration of solidarity. Oh, and it's "reins".
  dave heasman, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• I think the march should also be to say thank you to the emergency services, the LU employees and everyone who helped the injured, traumtised and stranded yesterday. It was a tragic day for London,but am I the only one who is proud at the way London reacted, and proud to be a Londoner today as we get backt to normal?
  And please lets make this a peaceful protest, the world doesn't need anymore violence.
  Suzy, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• I agree with Suzy, the emergency services and LU employees responded amazingly and have been doing sterling work since their initial response. They deserve London's appreciation.
  Rob Green, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Walking about London I really cant feel any connection between what is comming out of Tony Blair and others at the G8 in the form of sound bites / references to the WarOnTerror.
  
  Some form of public meeting would be a great chance to express how the city really seems to feeling about it. (i.e. Horrified, pround of those who handled things so well, a bit shaken but generally getting on with things)
  Richard Pope, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• "This pledge is to start the popular movement, to make people remember that the streets of London belong to them and not to terrorists."
  
  The logical and traditional places to do this are mostly covered by the controversial new Designated Area around Parliament Square, under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005
  
  If you do not apply in writing (recorded postal mail or by hand to a police station in the metropolis) "at least 6 clear days" or perhaps "at least 24 hours" to the "Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis", you will have committed a criminal offence, even if your demonstration is actually in support of the police and other authorities !
  
  The penalty for organising or helping to organise such a demonstration is up to 51 weeks in prison and/or a £2500 fine, Participating in such a demonstration or even demonstrating on your own as an individual, risks £1000 fine.
  
  Sign the Pledge:
  
  http://www.pledgebank.com/ParliamentSquare
  
  Background information and calls for action:
  
  http://ParliamentProtest.org.uk
  Peaceful Protestor, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Great idea guys - and good luck.I'm a bit out of it over here in Northern Ireland but then again, I've been defying terrorism for thirty years. My thoughts are with my fellow Brits - stand up to the lousy Islamofascist scumbags - I'll be there in spirit.
  DAVID VANCE, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• I watched the terrorists' attacts with horror yesterday on my t.v. from the safety of my living room, across the pond. I wish I were in London to be with you all to show my support for you and my hatred for the terrorist bastards. May they rot in hell.
  Valleygurl, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• The restrictions on the right to protest in Parliament Square won't be enforced until 1st August - so if you do this protest before then, you'll be fine. However; if you want to march, you might want to get some advice regarding the Public Order Act 1986, whereby (I think) you have to inform the police "as soon as is reasonably practicable" about your intended march.
  mark, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• "The restrictions on the right to protest in Parliament Square won't be enforced until 1st August "
  
  How do you know ? There is no statement from the Metroplitan Police or the Home Office to that effect, they seem a bit busy with other things at the moment.
  
  The need to get prior written permission came into force on 1st July.
  
  The extra arbitrary conditions which can be imposed and restrictions on loudspeakers come into force on 1st August.
  
  I am sure that Public Order Act 1986 still applies to marches and processions in the street, but the 2005 legislation covers "any public place" within the Designated Area.
  
  Now that this pledge is "successful", what happens now ? Do people just keep overfulfilling the target ?
  
  When and where is this "public demonstration" going to happen, and who actually is organising it ?
  Peaceful Protestor, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• This protest is being set up by a group of ordinary, concerned citizen bloggers from across the political lines.
  
  We are unaffiliated with any political group - including the Stop the War Coalition, which is also planning a demonstration.
  
  Our message is simple: two fingers to the terrorists, support for their victims, and to underline London's defiance.
  J Clive-Matthews (aka Nosemonkey), 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• I have now increased the target from this pledge from 100 to 2,500, following a request from the pledge creators. Good luck!
  Chris Lightfoot, PledgeBank admin, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Peaceful Protestor,
  
  It really isn't very clear at all, but apparently:
  "4. - (1) Subject to paragraph (2), sections 132 to 137 (demonstrations in the vicinity of Parliament) of the Act shall come into force on 1st August 2005, to the extent that they are not already in force."
  http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/2005152...
  
  I heard about that 1st July thing too, but I'm not sure what that refers to.
  
  Totally support this demonstration and I wish I could be there, unfortunately I'll be away for several weeks from tomorrow. Good luck, anyway. It's certainly something that needs to be done.
  mark, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• "I heard about that 1st July thing too, but I'm not sure what that refers to."
  
  http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/2005153...
  
  "The provisions relating to the procedure for giving notice of a demonstration and obtaining an authorisation come into force on 1st July 2005. The remaining provisions will come into force on 1st August 2005."
  
  There are, of course plenty of places to demonstrate outside of the Designated Area, which specifically excludes Trafalager Square.
  
  There seem to be some vague press briefings "from Ministers" about a "2 minute silence" in Tavistock Square this Thursday, but it is not clear at what time this is meant to be.
  Peaceful Protestor, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Oops ! That should have been "Trafalgar" rather than "Trafalager" Square. On second thoughts...
  Peaceful protestor, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• i would be there if i could but it's a long trip from sydney.
  susan, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Make a donation to the London Bombings Relief Charitable Fund set up by the Mayor of London and the British Red Cross:
  
  http://www.redcross.org.uk/standard.asp?...
  Peaceful Protestor, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• I've never organised or even been involved with anything like this before, but surely if we pick some provisional dates and a route, and then go to the police to inform them/for advice, they should be able to help us with how to proceed from there in terms of who to inform/how much notice/where we can go? They must have officers/a dept for dealing with people organising public demonstrations and - maybe I'm naive - but I'm sure they won't try to catch us out if we just go to them honestly and fairly?
  Suzy, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Just to let people know, this morning's Mirror reports (http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_objectid...) that there are plans for a mass vigil in Trafalgar Square on Thursday evening.
  
  If we get official confirmation of anything happening then we will let everyone know ASAP, of course.
  Nick Barlow, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• My office is in London but I work from home (must n't crow). The respose of my work mates is to arange a piss up in London on Thursday. I'll be down for that. We'll have our own vigil at the Pod on London Wall
  Anna, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• COME ON UK FLY THE FLAG FROM YOUR WINDOWS AT HOME AND FLY THE UNION JACK FROM YOUR CAR LETS GET GOING
  ALAN BRAY, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Maybe you should ask http://www.werenotafraid.com/ to add a link to this page. This should generate more traffic.
  Wessel van Rensburg, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• On behalf of Americans, I stand with you in stolidity, fervor and defiance.
  Scott Gamel, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Any American Servicemen want to sign up, come right on ahead! Your country has declared itself to be standing beside us, so go ahead, cross the M25!
  
  All together now
  Chris, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• The Mayor's office has now organised a vigil for Thursday night, starting at 6pm in Trafalgar Square (http://www.tuc.org.uk/newsroom/tuc-10190...)
  Nick Barlow, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Sympathy letter for Londoners from Odessa youth
  
  
  Dear Londoners and English people in general! We appeal to every person in the world whose relatives, friends and loved ones suffered in this tragedy!
  
  The horrible event, which happened on 7th July, 2005, couldn’t leave anybody indifferent. The violence of terrorist acts shocked the whole world and Ukraine wasn’t left out. Odessa is the city that has always been connected with Europe historically, so its inhabitants can’t stay silent about the horrifyingly increasing number of terrorists. This time Londoners became victims of heartless people who think they can achieve peace by attacking those who can’t defend themselves. But that isn’t the way of fighting for better life conditions and peace! Killing people can’t create justice! And surely, it all doesn’t fit the spiritual values of any religion!
  Of course, the people of Odessa realize deeply there’s government to solve all the social problems, but what the city’s population can do is express our feelings and thoughts referring to another crime against the whole world. We are part of the world so we join all the others in their grief and pain for those who were killed. Hundreds lives are ruined, and we mourn over those who are lost forever on their way. Of course, we can’t give away our blood to save anybody but we can at least voice our opinions on what happened! We are totally for peace and totally against any kind of violence! The world deserves to be peaceful and safe and the acknowledgement of this fact if the first and most important step in the struggle for justice!
  
  So please accept this modest but honest letter from two girls from Odessa who are concerned strongly with what happens in the world nowadays! We promise to devote our lives to helping those who suffer, no matter which profession we choose!
  
  Marina Chiyanova, 16
  Anna Rovenskih, 15
  Marina and Ann from Ukraine, 16&15, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• excellent idea. i was moaning about the lack of a madrid type response over the weekend. and, you've done what i should have done.
  
  btw, there is a condolence book and memorial garden in victoria embankment gardens, near embankment tube. turn left out of the ticket barriers, then right by the flower stall and find the white marquee - about 200 metres.
  Peter McClymont, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Let's not turn this into a religious witchhunt, those young bombers do not represent their community.
  
  If you have views like Concerned Person at least be proud enough to give your name.
  Paul Cook, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• I'm so up for a demonstration...peaceful of course. There's nothing worse than fighting violence with violence. I want to come down and show my support for the people lost on that horrible day and the gratefullness I feel for the twist of fate (and bad hangover) that stopped my friend getting on the train that morning as he would be amongst the list of those lost. I once got told that fighting for peace is like f***ing for virginity. I never agreed with a statement more. Whether we knew people in the blast or not, everyone in england has lost something, even if just our security. See u all there, keep praying or the victims to recover and the families pain to ease. God bless the victims of 7/7/05. Lauren, 20, Northants xxxx
  lauren dudley, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Two events coming up for you to consider:
  
  Vigil in Trafalgar Square at 6pm on Thursday, 15 July
  
  London United Festival (was going to be the 'Rise' festival) in Burgess Park, Camberwell on Saturday Afternoon (16 July)
  
  If you want to do a separate event - you could just arrange a time and place 'flash mob'-style; Possibly in one of london's famous cememtaries or along South Bank
  Babs, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• As much as i am in support for your march to show defiance against the dreadfull attacks that have struck London and the world, i believe it to be wrong.
  
  A march against terrorists not only gives them the satisfaction to know that they have affected heavily the lives of the western world but also gives them the oppurtunity to carry out such harmfull events again, but this time to the people that they believe are affected the most. YOU THE PROTESTORS!!
  
  If Kings Cross station provided a blanket for the terroists to deploy themselves around london freely, imagine what freedom a march of 2500 could give them, especially if they are home grown and are not under the knowledge of the police and other intelligence services.
  
  International terrorism today is a fond user of the internet, and it wouldnt suprise me if the group that commited these atrocities come back to this website every day to gloat about what they have done. If this march goes ahead it will be well publicised especially by the British media, and because of that you are playing yourselves into the terrorists hand and PUTTING YOUR OWN LIVES AT RISK.
  
  As much as i send my condolences out to all the families affected by terrorism across the world. I believe what your doing may cause more harm than good and therefore thier may be safer and more effective ways of spreading your views around.
  UK Citizen, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• I will be there in spirit when you assemble in London. My deepest condolences to all those who were touched by this unspeakable atrocity.
  
  Throughout history, Canadian have stood shoulder to shoulder with Britain in times of trial. Rest assured that your Canadian brethren again stand at your side today.
  Darren in Canada, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• I can't be with you on the solidarity demo in London, because I live in Canada, but as an expatriate Brit I thoroughly approve of your ideals. In my view, terrorism has three vital ingredients (per Conor Gearty, 1991): political motivation, victims chosen at random, and lots of media attention. If we could just slow down the media attention, the whole thing would be pointless for the terrorists. Sure, let's have news, but let's keep it to facts, not speculation, and certainly not endless coverage. Let's cut back on coverage from the CNN, BBC, CTV and all the others who give these thugs their platform for violence. No religion is at the base of this: just politicians seeking power, like all politicians do, including (but not limited to) Messrs Bush and Blair. Take away their limelight, and they, and the terrorists, would stop acting like schoolyard bullies.
  
  My love goes with you.
  henry, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• I do wish people would stop buying into this "They're trying to destroy our way of life" nonsense that Blair and Bush are peddling. They're clearly doing what they do in response to western policies towards the Arab world. I don't remember anyone saying the IRA were trying to destroy our way of life, do you?
  Chris Lockie, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• My heart goes out to all my fellow londoners! all of us use london transport on a daliy basis, and i am amazed at the people who say they will not use the tubes and buses again because of what has happened. why should we let them stop us? i use the 30 bus everyday, it goes past my house in hackney, it does not stop me from boarding it as normal. Yes i feel a sence of worry which is normal, but i wont let it stop me and neither should it stop you! lets show them bastards we as londoners need more than a few bombs to kill our sprits! United we stand - divided we fall!
  charlene - hackney, london, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Love from Birmingham, Alabama USA. I will be with you in spirit....God Bless London!
  Beth, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• There IS a public demonstration. Sunday 17 July at 2pm, Russell Square, WC1. Organised by Stop the War Coalition and the Muslim Federation of Great Britain.
  
  "Remember the Victims of the Bombings"
  "Defend the Muslim Community"
  
  Wear Black; please bring flowers.
  
  (The above is stated on the flier of STWC, not my words). Hope to see you all there, xxx
  Eccy de Jonge, 2 years ago. Abusive? Report it!