North Atlanta Considerations on the London Terrorist Attack

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England’s iconic Westminster Bridge was the site of the terrorist attack

On March 22 a tragic event took place on the Westminster Bridge in London, England. In an attack carried out by Khalid Masood, four people were killed and 40 were injured.

Masood drove into pedestrians on the Westminster Bridge before crashing his car into railings and then running into the grounds of Parliament, armed with a knife. Of the wounded, there were citizens of countries all over the world including Britain, France, Romania, Poland, South Korea, Australia, Greece, China, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and the United States. One woman even fell off of the bridge into the Thames River below. This attack has had a profound impact on millions of people around the globe, including some at North Atlanta High School. “I was so shocked when I heard about the attack,” said freshman Lenox Johnson. “It’s sad that such horrible things are still happening today.”

French teacher Robin Oliver is London-born and a duel American and British citizen. The attack, he said, is a stark reminder that the world is still very much a dangerous place. “When I grew up in London, terrorist attacks were very common, so I wasn’t particularly surprised,” he said.

There were three civilians killed in this terrible attack: Keith Palmer, Kurt Cochran and Aysha Frade. Palmer, 48, was a member of the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command and was guarding the Parliament building when the terrorist fatally stabbed him. Cochran, 54, was an American citizen who was visiting the city of England with his wife to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. Frade, 43, lived in London with her husband and two daughters, and was a teacher at a London sixth-form college. Cochran and Frade were both killed on the Westminster Bridge.

Khalid Masood was a 52-year-old husband and father of two children, living in Britain. British Prime Minister Theresa May said that Masood was known to authorities who had once investigated him for links to religious extremism. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.

Many world leaders reached out to those in the city of London with condolences, sympathy, and words of encouragement. This horrific, world-shattering event will never be forgotten as we remember the victims.