Manchester: A city that won't be cowed by terror
Manchester is showing solidarity with victims and standing defiant in the face of terror, says Sky's Siobhan Robbins.
Wednesday 24 May 2017 01:16, UK
Defiant - that is the word that summarises the mood in Manchester.
This is a city that won't be cowed by terror.
Almost 24 hours after a man blew himself up in a packed arena, hundreds of people gathered for a concert just a few minutes down the road.
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Everyone I spoke to had the same message, "We will not let terrorists change our lives."
Gig-goers going to see Simple Minds weren't heading out because they didn't care about the 22 who lost their lives, they hadn't forgotten the families still waiting for news - instead they wanted to show those who attacked their city that they had not won.
Some told me they were nervous, had thought about not coming, but pride and defiance brought them out.
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Maureen Tweedale cried as she told me Manchester would stand strong together.
"This is what this country stands for. And Manchester - we love this city. We come out all the time in it and we're not going to stop for anybody.
"Picking on kids. No. It's bang out of order, they were just out to have a good time… We're not going to give in. We're not going to let them win.
"We are frightened, of course we are, but do you know what? We're carrying on because that's what Northern people do."
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At the start of the Simple Minds concert, the band paid tribute to the courage of those who survived and honoured the memories of those who didn't. As they spoke, the whole audience got to their feet in a show of solidarity.
There's no doubt these are dark days as parents search in vain for missing children and others feel guilty for running for their lives, but the united and dignified spirit of this city is something we should all be proud of.