Anti-war vigil attracts hundreds

The crowds listened to speeches

Hundreds of people have attended a vigil in memory of those killed or injured in the London bombings.

Stop The War Coalition (StWC) and the Muslim Association of Britain organised the rally in Russell Square.

Crowds listened to speeches by members from the two groups and Respect MP George Galloway who blamed the war on Iraq for the London bombings.

Organisers said their aim was also to show solidarity with the families of victims and the Muslim community.

'Despicable acts'

Crowds waved Stop the War placards and rainbow-coloured peace banners as Coalition chairman Andrew Murray addressed them.

Mr Murray said that "innocent victims have lost their lives in an incident that proved how ridiculous the war on terror has been".

He also vowed that they would "continue to campaign for the speedy removal of troops in Iraq" and that they would "fight for it harder than ever".

Muslims and non-Muslims unite at a solidarity rally in London In pictures

Independent Respect MP George Galloway condemned the mass murders of 7 July but attacked Tony Blair's government.

"These people were not guilty of any crime against anyone. Therefore, the acts carried out against them were despicable acts," he said.

He accused politicians and journalists that did not link the Iraq war to the atrocities in the capital of "lying to us all over again".

"We say it's precisely the wars we have unleashed upon them, it's precisely your so-called war on terror, Mr Blair, that has left this world in a dangerous state of hate."

Wasar Altikriti, 18, from the Muslim Youth Group in Leeds told the crowd how they felt ostracised and intimidated by the rest of society after the London bombing.

"When the attacks of 7/7 took place we were all overcome with feelings of sorrow, sadness and dismay.

"Today these hearts that bled for the victims are filled with bitterness, anguish and fear at being targeted and criminalised for something they did not do."