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Bloke Fleeing Terror Attack With a Pint in His Hand Becomes Symbol of London's Defiance

By Petr Navovy | Social Media | June 5, 2017 |

By Petr Navovy | Social Media | June 5, 2017 |

As you undoubtedly must have heard, London was hit by a terrorist attack over the weekend. There were a multitude of reactions to this awful event. Theresa May, as is her wont, retreated into fear, authoritarianism, and hypocrisy. Jeremy Corbyn gave a relevant and resonant speech on the matter. Emergency crews responded with heroic speed and selfless dedication.

But there was another reaction that has to be noted for the ages. On the ground, in the moment, as fear and death exploded on the streets of London and its citizens fled, one of them fled in a very particular way:

Here he is again, this time in motion:

It’s a funny old thing, a person becoming a symbol, but this man—this man about whom we know nothing except his steadfast refusal to abandon a beer—has definitely transcended that boundary now. Look at that at-ease stroll. That insouciant hand motion, almost urging everyone to ‘chill out a bit, careful there’s a beverage here’.

And, to be honest, at London Bridge, where the attack took place? That would’ve been nigh on a £6 pint, easily. Damn right he’s taking it for a walk. You think some lonely and irrelevant hatemongers are gonna separate a Londoner from his or her bloody drink? On a Saturday night?!

via GIPHY

There was more to note on the social media front in the wake of the London attack. After the NY Times ran a particularly worded headline, British Twitter responded:

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Petr Knava lives in London and plays music




Petr is a staff contributor. You can follow him on Twitter.