Following the brutal terrorist attack in London last week that resulted in the death of four pedestrians on Westminster Bridge and unarmed police officer, PC Keith Palmer at the gates of the Palace Westminster, London Mayor Sadiq Khan gave a solemn promise that the capital would 'not be cowed by terrorism'.

And now a group of women have put the politician's words into action, by holding hands along Westminster Bridge to show solidarity with the victims of the attack.

On Sunday when Big Ben chimed 4pm BST, a group of women – who wore blue as a symbol of hope, according to the Telegraph – joined hands for five minutes to show defiance against hatred and violence in a poignant event organized by the Women's March on London campaign group.

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Fariha Khan, a GP from Surbiton, south-west London who formed part of the group, told the publication: 'The feeling of what happened here on Wednesday was really strong.'

'We thought of the ordinary people who were here and were mown down, standing here like this, it was very overwhelming,' she added.

Khan was joined by fellow Ahmadiyya Muslims who said they wanted to condemn the abhorrent attack and stand together in the face of terrorism.

'When an attack happens in London, it is an attack on me. It is an attack on all of us. Islam totally condemns violence of any sort. This is abhorrent to us,' explained Sarah Waseem.

When an attack happens in London, it is an attack on me. It is an attack on all of us.

Women's March On London posted an image from the event on Facebook titled 'We Stand Together' and explained why people came together following the attack.

The group said: 'It is important that we come together at this time when tensions intensify in our communities.'

It also invited people to unite in grief for those who died in the attack, support those who continue to be treated with injuries, stand up to 'forces of fear and division' and show 'solidarity for equality and justice'.

Mother-of-two Ayesha Malik added: 'As a visible Muslim I think it was important to show solidarity with the principles that we all hold dear, the principles of plurality, diversity and so on.'

Londoner Mary Bennett revealed she attended the event to make a 'small gesture'.

She told the BBC: 'I am here to show that in a quiet way we continue to go where we like and do what we like in London.'

'This is my city. It's a very small gesture but life is made up of small gestures,' she noted.

A small yet powerful gesture of hope, solidarity and defiance.

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Katie O'Malley
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Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.