Abstract

Article in the Guardian newspaper, Wednesday 24 May 2017
The “I heart” messages that appear in cities, in the wake of a terrorist attack, are not always spontaneous. The statements from local politicians, imbued with messages of resilience and defiance, emphasising that it will be “business as usual”, are carefully planned in advance. The vigils to show solidarity are expected now, including a pre-negotiated multi-faith element, and the UK’s ability to put its services back together in a show of strength are admired around the world. It has been said that on the night after the bombings in Boston, USA, in 2013, the mayor of that city gathered his staff together and in a reference to the attacks that took place in Britain on 7/7 stated “tonight we do a London”. After all, in the UK capital, after four suicide bombers targeted the transport networks on a Thursday, the theatres were back open 48 hours later.