Tens of thousands rallied in the streets of London on Saturday, protesting last week's Brexit referendum results and seeking a unified way forward in a colorful March for Europe.
"Today we joined thousands of people backing 'March for Europe' and we called for the country to come together in a positive democratic discussion over the new partnership with Europe," organizers said in a statement.
"We condemn the misinformation over Brexit and believe we need a properly informed debate on the way forward," they continued. "We cannot pull up the drawbridge to Europe and call on our politicians to set out a clear route map for this partnership. Politicians must be prepared to put to the British people their prospectus for the new way forward through a general election or second referendum."
I love these humans #marchforeurope pic.twitter.com/cpcsuTkaj3
— shura (@weareshura) July 2, 2016
By a margin of 52-48 percent, the UK voted on July 23 to leave the European Union. Many have charged that the campaign was marred by violence, misinformation, and xenophobia.
"I'm here because I feel totally disenfranchised, hoodwinked and browbeaten into this political, financial and social suicide," Sussex business consultant Mark Riminton told the Guardian, "and the only thing I can think of to do is go on a march."
A selection of banners out on the march against Brexit. pic.twitter.com/knyxE4xxBn
— Jamie Grierson (@JamieGrierson) July 2, 2016
That sentiment was apparently shared by the estimated 30,000 who attended the march.
"I'm absolutely outraged at the way people voted, the lies the referendum was based on and the divide in the country because of it," 40-year-old Philippa Griffin, from Hertfordshire, told the Huffington Post UK. "My ideal outcome from this march is that MPs realise that leaving the EU is not what people truly want. It feels like our country has already changed."
Reports of hate speech and complaints of racial abuse have risen in the wake of the vote, according to the UK's National Police Chiefs Council.
The #Brexit politicians admitted their lies within hours of result. They cheated us of our democracy #marchforeurope pic.twitter.com/cGct3K5jF3
— The NHA Party (@NHAparty) July 2, 2016
Reuters reported that "the marchers were nearly all young adults, and many were draped in EU flags while others waved banners bearing slogans such as 'I'm with EU' or simply 'Wrexit'."
Young people overwhelmingly voted to Remain.
Baguette not #Brexit at #marchforeurope now happening in London heading to Parliament pic.twitter.com/fbdk9paePc
— Ellie Geranmayeh (@EllieGeranmayeh) July 2, 2016
