Brexit march: '1 million' Put It To The People protesters stage historic rally for a second referendum
See how we covered the day's events live
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Some one million people were estimated to have joined the Put It To The People march in central London today, organisers said.
Organised by the People’s Vote, Britain for Europe and Open Britain, protesters demanded the public be given a final say on the Brexit process.
Campaigners seeking a second referendum started in Park Lane at midday before gathering at Parliament Square for a series of speeches, with demonstrators tailing back through the route shown on aerial footage.
On stage Labour’s deputy leader Tom Watson addressed Theresa May's own speech this week when she told voters fed up of Brexit that "I am on your side".
He said: “Have a look out of the window prime minister. Open your curtains. Switch on your TV. Here are the people. Theresa May - you don’t speak for us.”
And Michael Heseltine told marchers that the EU represented "parliamentary democracies working together with power based on a shared sovereignty far in excess of anything any one of us could achieve individually" over decades.
People came from across the country to join the demonstration. Sorcha Kirker, 27, travelled from Orkney and told The Independent: "This is too important to miss because of something like geography. It’s our future."
The march took place as Ms May fought to stay in office, with ministers reportedly plotting to oust her. In a letter to MPs she did not guarantee that she would bring her deal back to the Commons for a third meaningful vote, amid suspicions it would fail to pass again.
See below how we covered the march live:
Sarah Wollaston, the newly independent MP for Totnes has said that the government "cannot ignore peaceful protest on this vast scale".
"But we will not deliver a People's Vote unless & until MPs walk through the voting lobby," she said on Twitter.
"Tom Watson is the alternative leader of the opposition as well as the deputy leader of the Labour Party. Because he has his own mandate from party members, he can speak for the other part of a divided party."
The Independent's editorial, written after the Put it to the People march, reflects on two very different approaches to Brexit from Tom Watson and Jeremy Corbyn.
An estimated million marchers took to the streets today to ask for a second Brexit referendum.
But what steps need to be taken for a Final Say vote to occur?
The Independent's political correspondent Lizzy Buchan takes you through the next possible stages.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments