But the Manchester way is to make it yourself.
Tony Walsh delivered an impassioned poem to thousands at Albert Square in midst of the tragic events that befell the city on the 22nd of May. Horrific stories of lives lost and children separated filled the media storyline, and our great city was placed at the forefront of the global eye for reasons none of us would have wanted.
Yet even amidst one of the city’s darkest hours, the strength of the human spirit shone through. Taxi drivers filled ranks to provide free lifts for those in need, hotels gave rooms away, hospitals rallied full of volunteers, and everywhere the community rose to stand in solidarity with the victims and their families. The very next day, life cracked on in the heart of a city shaken by tragedy.
“Despite the appalling events at the Mcr Arena last night, the city is open for business. Those people trying to sow fear will not succeed,” read the Tweet from the Mayor the day after the incident.
Defiance is perhaps the best word to define Manchester’s people. Even now it’s business as usual in the city streets. Some may call it a cold, careless response; but they do not understand the Mancunian way. Manchester’s reaction to the concert bombings shows a unified spirit that cannot be broken. Hiding indoors and stopping our usual routine is exactly what terrorism aims to affect. The wicked, extreme acts of a few are meant to strike fear in the many.
But not here, not on Deansgate or anywhere else. Go outside and you will find a city thriving, defiant to terrorism. The victims of May 22nd are honored in the spirit of Manchester’s people, in their courage to move forward and to stand together against an act meant to divide us all. This is our city. This is Manchester.
#NorthernAndProud
Interested in donating to the victims and their families? The Manchester Evening News has teamed up with the British Red Cross to launch a spectacular fundraising campaign:
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/westandtogethermanchester
Manchester, United pic.twitter.com/SMZhwzqIlS
— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) May 23, 2017