This march was the second large gathering since July 2, as more than 50,000 people marched to show their opposition to Brexit. The protest occurred on the last weekend before parliament reconvenes after its Summer break on Monday.
In addition to the march, the hashtag #MarchForEurope trended with comments ranging from weird to positive on Twitter and Facebook.
A city of 9.000.000 and just go to the march 2000? Fail 😂 #marchforeurope
— emily (@ironicshey) 3 сентября 2016 г.
#marchforeurope Time to bring out this graphic again! pic.twitter.com/xyHWgwFZut
— Hani Mustafa (@_hanimustafa) 3 сентября 2016 г.
This lot are on a #marchforeurope too. pic.twitter.com/dF5hLW551I
— Alfred Albion™ (@AfredAlbion) 3 сентября 2016 г.
@PeterTatchell Right on, Peter! First we reform the EU, then we reform Hell! #marchforeurope pic.twitter.com/DZSuHz8jcr
— David Sparks (@SocJusLOL) 3 сентября 2016 г.
Sputnik spoke to some people who took part in the march in Central London and a similar array of mixed reasons were conveyed for their motivations to join the procession:
"We are here to show solidarity against Brexit because we want a unified EU and we don't think the referendum reflected a true representation of the truth" said a young lady as she marched.
If you feel the referendum was based on lies, racism and fear join #marchforeurope
— Graeme C 48% (@Hogmeisster) 3 сентября 2016 г.
The march was described as a celebration of peace, tolerance and diversity in line with the call-to-action stated on the Facebook event page. As the mass of people reached Parliament Square a small group of protesters stood with Union Jacks and placards conveying their wish to leave the EU.
One gentleman stood up on the wall and decided to chant his support for former UKIP party leader Nigel Farage which did not please the majority anti-Brexit camp.
“A sea of blue” was the dominant visual color on display as people adorned clothing and face paints to represent their affinity to their European counterparts.
Prominent public commentators were present on the day including Owen Jones and UK comic Eddie Izzard.
Many people marching also spoke about the need for the British public to proactively have their voices heard, especially since all the confusion about what the definite plans are for the future of the country.
"We must stay in Europe if we (Britain) stand any chance of a safer, unified future otherwise as we can see here even with the Brexit guys, it will be a case of a very divided, and highly unstable economically Britain!" said one of the young men at the march.
Others were a little more pragmatic about their presence:
"We just want a united Britain, and for a collective European voice. In a democracy we can accept what the majority has voted for, but so much of this was influenced by lies and we don't think the public was well informed. This is why I am here and what many of us feel strongly about. This is also a positive display of democracy in action." said another pro-EU supporter.
Speaking to one of the pro-BREXIT supporters, he told Sputnik on a live Facebook stream:
"The majority of this country voted to leave EU. This is a democracy and that's how a democracy works. These guys are a bunch of cry babies and they need to accept the country's decision and now help it become great again, as an independent country it should be!"
As British parliament convenes for business in the week ahead, it's likely to be an important few weeks and months for Theresa May and her government.
In the meantime, the #MarchForEurope supporters will continue to exercise their right to protest against leaving the EU and the pro-Brexit camp will likely also continue to exercise on the opposite side.
