World messages flood into London support Web site By Jeremy Lovell
LONDON (Reuters) - A Web site created the same day as last week's multiple bomb blasts in London to act as a focal point for passive defiance has turned into a global shrine that has already attracted 11 million hits in just five days.
The site, brainchild of Web designer Alfie Dennen, 29, has been flooded with images from all over the world, bearing the site's slogan: "We Are Not Afraid."
"At first the idea was just to try to put the sentiment out there that we wouldn't be cowed -- a defiant but not aggressive statement," said Dennen.
"But it has become a platform for support for people quite literally from every corner of the globe," he told Reuters.
At least 52 people were killed and 700 wounded -- many critically -- when bombs ripped through three underground trains and tore the roof off a double-decker bus at the height of the London rush hour on Thursday morning.
The list of those still missing reads like a United Nations of world travelers and the messages flooding into
"We had an amazing one from China this morning," Dennen said. "But they are from places like Italy, Brazil, Poland, Japan, South Africa, Nigeria -- all over basically."
One particularly poignant image posted by Sage E. is a sepia-toned picture of the face of a bespectacled young girl with the caption: "Yesterday I lost my friend in London. Today I am not afraid."
Among more than 1,000 other images already posted are others lampooning al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden or showing London landmarks or just personal portraits.
Dennen said the six people running the site round the clock had decided to vet the commentary posted next to the images after it had begun to attract extreme right-wing messages. "It became hate filled war-mongering. We simply won't have offensive content of that nature on the site. It is an editorial decision. But the overwhelming tone is one of great support and positivity," he said.
"From here I think it will continue in its current vein for a while and then, because of its iconic status, it will be a good place to do good," he added.
Copyright 2005 Reuters Limited.
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