Dozens of women lined up along Westminster Bridge on Sunday in a show of solidarity with the victims of Wednesday's terror attack.

The event, which was organised by the Women's March in London, asked participants to bow their heads in silence as Big Ben chimed 4 pm. For five minutes, women from all faiths and backgrounds stood holding hands in a vigil to remember the four victims who died and the many more who were injured in the attack by Khalid Masood.

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Many of the women, who wore blue as a symbol of hope and peace, said they wanted to condemn the attack and show that London "stands united" in the face of terrorism.

"It's important that we say terror will not defeat and divide us and pay respects to those that died," Akeela Ahmed, a campaigner who helped organise the gathering, told The Guardian. "Keith Palmer is a hero and we are marking our respect for him and all the emergency services who protect us."

Women's activist Julie Siddiq said the nation's reaction to the attack has been "incredible".

"It sends a positive message that we need to reach out more, not less," Siddiq said. "What happened on Wednesday is terrible and tragic, but we will not let it define our relations – we can rise above that."

Powerful images of the gathering have been shared on social media, along with the message #WeStandTogether.

[twitter ]After around 100,000 Londoners joined the Women's March in protest of Donald Trump in January, organisers of Sunday's vigil did not publicise the event. Invitations were shared privately in order to limit numbers and make a "simple statement" said spokeswoman Emma McNally.

"The image of women coming together from different communities and holding hands has significant symbolic power, particularly in the online world where so much xenophobic and racist language is shared," McNally explained.

"This is a simple statement of women coming together and standing together, reclaiming Westminster Bridge as an expression of solidarity in London and across the UK."

From: Harper's BAZAAR UK