Today, we mark twenty years since the devastating terrorist attacks on London’s transport system on 7 July 2005.
Credit: Francis Tyers
On that day, four explosive devices detonated during morning rush hour – three on the London Underground and the fourth on a bus in Tavistock Square. Fifty-two people were killed, hundreds were injured, and countless others were impacted by the trauma of that day. Our thoughts today are with the victims, their families, and all those affected.
(AP Photo/Sang Tan)
Whilst the UK was no stranger to terrorism, 7/7 was the first large-scale Islamist terror attack carried out by British citizens on British soil, with four homegrown extremists, radicalised in the UK, responsible for the suicide bombing attacks in London on that day. 7/7 ushered in an important shift in UK national security and counterterrorism policy – sparking key debates across the UK on radicalisation and counter-radicalisation efforts which continue today.
While we remember the horror and senselessness of those attacks, we also reflect on the powerful responses of resilience, unity, and compassion that emerged from communities across London and the UK – exemplified by Londoners in response to the attacks through the popular phrase: “we are not afraid.” An example of this resilience is Miriam’s Vision – a set of secondary school resources developed by the family of Miriam Hyman, who was murdered that day. These free-to-access resources are designed to encourage social cohesion and develop empathy: Miriam’s Vision.
Picture By Richard Mills/The Times.
LondonTerroristsAttacks2005. Used with permission of News Corp.
20 years on and extremist ideologies still pose a real threat, and the need to build resilience in young people has never been greater. At SINCE 9/11, we believe that the most meaningful way to honour the victims of 7/7, and other terrorist acts, is to work every day for a more cohesive, informed, and peaceful society. That means continuing our mission to educate young people about the dangers of extremism and the importance of mutual respect, democracy, and inclusion. Many of our resources can be found here: SINCE 9/11 Resources
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