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Londoners are out in force to protest against Brexit today amid a campaign to declare the city “open”.
Mayor Sadiq Khan is spearheading the campaigns ahead of the UK’s departure from the European Union tonight, pinning “everyone welcome” posters at Tube stations across the capital.
“London is open and everyone’s welcome. Today, tomorrow and always,” the boards read.
At Bank tube station, the same message appeared on train departure screens, prompting one Twitter user to say it “almost broke” him.
Buses across the city have also been plastered with phrase “we are all Londoners” in different languages as the UK prepares to officially leave the bloc at 11pm.
The hashtag #LondonIsOpen and #NotMyBrexit have trended on Twitter across the UK, with thousands taking to the site to protest.
In a post shared more than 1,000 times, Mr Khan tweeted: “The UK may be leaving the EU today, but London remains a beacon for progressive ideas, liberal values, decency & diversity.
“To the one million EU citizens that contribute so much to our city: you are Londoners, you are welcome here, & that will never change. #LondonIsOpen”
Cathedrals, universities, the Royal Albert Hall, the Museum of London, theatres, shops, activists and politicians have all weighed in on Twitter to declare that “London is European”.
Brexit Day at Parliament Square – In pictures
1/17
Anti-Brexit protesters in Parliament Square, London
PA
2/17
Police presence at anti-Brexit protests in Parliament Square, London
PA
3/17
The Winston Churchill statue and Union flags in Parliament Square, London
PA
4/17
Pro Brexit supporters hold placards at Parliament Square as people prepare for Brexit
Getty Images
5/17
A man carries an EU themed wreath at Parliament Square
Reuters
6/17
Anti-Brexit demonstrators in Parliament Square, London, ahead of the UK leaving the European Union
PA
7/17
Pro Brexit supporters hold placards at Parliament Square as people prepare for Brexit
Getty Images
8/17
A man wears a President, Donald Trump mask and holds an American flag at Parliament Square as people prepare for Brexit
Getty Images
9/17
People hold placards in Parliament Square opposite the Houses of Parliament in London
AFP via Getty Images
10/17
A man holds up a President, Donald Trump, American flag at Parliament Square as people prepare for Brexit
Getty Images
11/17
A Red Viking apple with the Union Jack is displayed and given out for free to promote British produce as an Anti-Brexit demonstrator waves the European Union flag in Parliament Square
AP
12/17
Joseph Afrane in Westminster
Jeremy Selwyn
13/17
Pro-EU anti-Brexit protesters hold placards in Parliament Square
AFP via Getty Images
14/17
A man takes a photo of political artist Kaya Mar’s paintings in Parliament Square
Getty Images
15/17
A man in an oversized ‘Keep America Great’ hat and draped with a US flag holds a Union Flag in Parliament Square opposite the Houses of Parliament
AFP via Getty Images
16/17
A woman holds a newspaper at Parliament Square
Reuters
17/17
A woman wears a face mask in Parliament Square
PA
1/17
Anti-Brexit protesters in Parliament Square, London
PA
2/17
Police presence at anti-Brexit protests in Parliament Square, London
PA
3/17
The Winston Churchill statue and Union flags in Parliament Square, London
PA
4/17
Pro Brexit supporters hold placards at Parliament Square as people prepare for Brexit
Getty Images
5/17
A man carries an EU themed wreath at Parliament Square
Reuters
6/17
Anti-Brexit demonstrators in Parliament Square, London, ahead of the UK leaving the European Union
PA
7/17
Pro Brexit supporters hold placards at Parliament Square as people prepare for Brexit
Getty Images
8/17
A man wears a President, Donald Trump mask and holds an American flag at Parliament Square as people prepare for Brexit
Getty Images
9/17
People hold placards in Parliament Square opposite the Houses of Parliament in London
AFP via Getty Images
10/17
A man holds up a President, Donald Trump, American flag at Parliament Square as people prepare for Brexit
Getty Images
11/17
A Red Viking apple with the Union Jack is displayed and given out for free to promote British produce as an Anti-Brexit demonstrator waves the European Union flag in Parliament Square
AP
12/17
Joseph Afrane in Westminster
Jeremy Selwyn
13/17
Pro-EU anti-Brexit protesters hold placards in Parliament Square
AFP via Getty Images
14/17
A man takes a photo of political artist Kaya Mar’s paintings in Parliament Square
Getty Images
15/17
A man in an oversized ‘Keep America Great’ hat and draped with a US flag holds a Union Flag in Parliament Square opposite the Houses of Parliament
AFP via Getty Images
16/17
A woman holds a newspaper at Parliament Square
Reuters
17/17
A woman wears a face mask in Parliament Square
PA
Others posted defiant anecdotes. My boss is American, but he hates being called that,” tweeted user Nathan Sinclair. “He says “I’m Not an American, I’m a New Yorker”. When I first met him, I thought he was ridiculous. These days, I understand his position a lot more. I’m not English, I’m a Londoner and proud of it. #LondonIsOpen #NotMyBrexit”.
Many are also sharing a video from the mayor’s office featuring Londoners of different creeds, cultures, workplaces and landmarks with the message: “Brexit won’t change what we love about our city.”
It comes as City Hall prepares to host EU Londoners at 6pm tonight for a guidance event which will see lawyers offer support and Mr Khan deliver a speech.
Protests and parties are planned across Britain today on both sides of the Brexit divide.
Jubilant Brexiteers have lined the Mall and Parliament Square with Union Jack flags, Downing Street will be projected with a light display later, Whitehall government buildings will be illuminated red, white and blue tonight and Boris Johnson will deliver a special address to the nation.
Listen to today’s episode of The Leader:
