Anti-Brexit protesters mass in British capital for rally

With Britain mired in political paralysis over Brexit hundreds of thousands of pro-Europeans thronged London on Saturday calling for another referendum on EU membership, in one of the biggest protests in decades.

Organizers estimated around a million opponents of Britain’s departure from the European Union joined what they called the “Put it to the people march”, descending on the capital by road and rail from across the country. Wielding an array of anti-Brexit signs and EU flags, people first gathered at Hyde Park before walking the approximately two-mile route to Westminster -- whistling, cheering and chanting “people’s vote”.

“The message is clear: stop Brexit,” said the leader of the Liberal Democrats Vince Cable, who led the vast crowd which set off at lunchtime ahead of a rally outside parliament. “We are now a Remain country. Nearly 90 percent of young voters who weren’t allowed to vote in 2016 would vote to remain,” he added.

In Westminster speakers including Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, London Mayor Sadiq Khan and opposition Labour deputy leader Tom Watson began addressing attendees from early afternoon. A host of other political figures also joined the demonstration, including Independent Group MPs who quit Britain’s two mainstream parties -- the Conservatives and Labour -- earlier this year in protest at their Brexit policies.

“One million marching for Britain’s place in Europe -- a worthy fight,” said Chris Leslie, one of the breakaway lawmakers.