Anti-Brexit demonstrators took to the streets of London on Saturday to protest against the June referendum vote to leave the European Union (EU).
The protesters, some carrying EU flags and placards whilst others with faces painted with the EU colors, marched from Hyde Park to Parliament Square, where a debate is scheduled to be held on Monday on whether a second referendum on EU membership will be held.
An online petition has reportedly gathered more than four million signatures demanding another referendum vote.
The protesters said the nationwide referendum vote was based on a turnout of less than 75 percent and that the "leave" vote came out below 60 percent.
On June 23, 51.9 percent of people voted to leave the EU while 48.1 percent voted to stay.
Organizers of the march said they want the government to delay the triggering of Article 50, the formal process for leaving the EU, and are also calling for a greater voice in how the process of the Brexit takes place.
"We want to show that there is a very large community, thousands here today across the country, they want to have a dialogue with the government about our position in Europe, about the ability to first of all tell us what Brexit means because there doesn't seem to be a plan. The Cabinet that met the other day seem very divided on the issue. We want to understand exactly what it means, and also to make sure that they know we want to be in the heart of Europe, we want to be as close to Europe as possible, and to stop them triggering Article 50 until there is a plan," said Fabien Riggal, an organizer of the march.
Another organizer said the Brexit vote has led to a surge in hate crimes against minorities, a worrying consequence from the referendum.
"So, in the aftermath of Brexit there was a big increase in hate crimes, that people being abused in the streets. Tragically, the other week, a Polish man was killed. And there is an atmosphere that many people from different countries, people of different color, they fell threatened at the moment," said Owen Jones, another organizer of the march and a media work.
Prime Minister Theresa May has currently ruled out a second vote. More on: [ Ссылка ]
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