Other French Londoners say they have already spoken with the Metropolitan Police about security at the event.
Organisers wrote on one of the event’s Facebook pages: “Local authorities have been contacted and will be present to ensure our safety”.
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“Vive La France (Long Live France)”, “nous ne sommes peur (We are not afraid)” and “we are still here” were among the words chanted and written on placards held by the participants at the square during the vigil.
Front pages of papers sold in Paris following the attacks in the French capital.
“We feel such deep sorrow; we feel such a sense of loss with the people of Paris”.
A few people lit candles and laid flowers to and others held the French tricolor – 24 hours on from the attack. We are two capitals united in our values – democratic freedom, openness and tolerance.
Bryan Clement, a 19-year-old student in Nancy, was one of dozens of people posting have-you-seen-me? photos of friends and family missing since the Paris attacks. They wish to undermine the things we hold most precious.
“It feels like they really wanted to kill people everywhere and so it feels like a war”, said Florence Henniaux. They want to set neighbour against neighbour. We stand ready to help in any way we can.
The vigil was organized by the Consulate General of France in Philadelphia, and French cultural and civic groups.
Tower Bridge, London Municipality Building, London Eye and National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, which were among the symbols of London, were illuminated with the colors of French flag in memory of 129 victims, killed in the attack.
Catriona Robertson, the Director of the Christian-Muslim Forum, said: “Terrorism has no religion – and today’s event will show solidarity and how we are all united in our prayers for those killed and injured”.
‘But now more than ever we need to remind ourselves of what brings us together as human beings, as brothers and sisters, as neighbours, colleagues and friends, whatever our creed or colour, whatever our background’.
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While the Empire State Building and Eiffel Tower went dark, buildings like the World Trade Center, the Sydney Opera House, London’s Tower Bridge and Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate were lit up in the French flag’s colors.
