Hammersmith Stands Silent

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Two minute tribute to bomb victims brings unprecedented response

A two minute silence in memory of those who died in the bomb attacks brought an unprecedented response from the people of Hammersmith today.

Even the busy thoroughfare of King Street saw most traffic stop as people left shops as offices as a mark of respect.

The people of Hammersmith joined others across Europe in making this gesture at noon on what was an exceptionally fine day.

The council backed the initiative to observe the two minute silence on the streets, as requested by the Mayor of London, out of respect for those who lost their lives in the tragedy. A flood of staff streamed onto the streets outside council buildings across the borough and fell silent as a tannoy announcement signalled the start of the two minutes.

Cllr Stephen Burke, Leader of the council, said, "Today the borough’s residents have joined with councillors, council staff and other Londoners to express our respect for those who died or were seriously injured and to show our sympathy for those who have lost someone. I was deeply saddened, as everyone was by the horrific attacks last week, and the council will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with all of the borough’s many and diverse communities as we seek a way forward from this tragedy."

July 14, 2005