Star comment: Terrorists can never defeat us
If terrorists thought love would tear Manchester apart, they picked the wrong city.
The capital of the North West responded to the region’s worst ever attack by showing compassion and support, solidarity and union. Manchester, like the rest of the country, will not be intimidated by terror. It will not be cowed by fear.
Terrorist Salmon Abedi, who bombed young children at a pop concert by the American singer Ariana Grande failed. His intention of changing people’s behaviour was futile and nihilistic. Tonight, children around the country will attend shows by other artistes. They will sing pop songs, cheer, dress up and do the other things kids do. And while they will remember the tragedy of Ariana’s concert, they will also know that enjoying themselves isn’t wrong. Happiness will visit them as they dance and sing.
Terror acts are intended to cause divisiveness. The Manchester bombing has done the opposite. It has encouraged people to stand together. People in the city provided rooms for the night for those who had been stranded, donated blood for those who required operations, offered practical and emotional support for the bereaved and showed empathy for all others affected. Those on social media helped in the search for those who were missing. People stood together.
Those who seek to destroy our fundamental freedoms will never succeed. The children and young people who had been enjoying giggles and good times in Manchester but didn’t make it home are in all of our thoughts. From London to New York, from Brussels to Birmingham, there has been an outpouring of love.
Parents recognise the situation in which others found themselves. All mums and dads provide a parent taxi; they take children to extra-curricular activities then wait patiently in the car park for their loved one’s return.
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There was an effect on the policing of pop and rock concerts following the 2015 Paris massacre at a rock show. Extra checks were carried out, making it more difficult for people to sneak weapons or improvised explosive devices into venues. Salman Abedi, the terrorist who bombed Manchester, may have avoided such checks and balances by striking at the end of a show.
There will be a further review and security will be further tightened. Everything that can be done to safeguard people’s safety and well-being will be done. And yet beyond issues of regulation and diligence, there is a simpler truth. It is this: Ordinary, law-abiding people will not be bullied or demonised by religious zealots. They will not surrender basic freedoms or be told what to do or how to behave.
They will not seek to change behaviours that cause no offence to right-thinking people. And any temporary fear will soon pass as they resume their normal lives. Violent, ugly, brutal acts will never replace the natural, orderly routine.
Nor, indeed, will people succumb to the sort of bigotry or dysfunctional behaviour that terrorists might seek to invoke. Muslim organisations have condemned the Manchester Arena bombing and made clear their hope that perpetrators face the full weight of justice. They have made clear that the attack was not carried out in their name.
From world leaders to taxi drivers, from emergency service crews to hoteliers, from Twitter users to child psychologists and from the Queen to the Prime Minister, people have been united in their condemnation of the Manchester attack.
The Queen’s message of admiration for the humanity and compassion shown by many in the face of such barbarity is apposite. All of our thoughts are with the families and friends of victims. Our message is one of defiance. Terrorists will never win.
