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“Dance until you're dizzy”: People share messages of defiance after Manchester terror attack

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Sarah Biddlecombe
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“Go out and enjoy your favourite singers and bands. Don't be afraid. Dance until you’re dizzy.”

In the wake of Britain’s deadliest terrorist attack in over a decade, people are joining together on social media to share messages of defiance, hope and joy.

Last night, a bomb tore through the foyer of Manchester Arena shortly after an Ariana Grande concert finished, killing 22 people and leaving more than 50 injured. Described by Theresa May as a “cowardly attack on innocent people” carried out with “sickening cowardice”, it was a moment that left the world reeling.

And as messages of love and condolence for the city and its victims continue to sweep social media, a chorus of Twitter users are standing united against terrorism.

Scroll down to read just a small selection of their messages.

Twitter user @hannawwh, who attended the concert, had the perfect response to a man who tried to insinuate that Muslims were to blame for the attack:

Manchester City Council was adamant that the city would not shut down in the wake of the attack:

Natasha Devon OBE, a mental health campaigner, shared the words of a year 10 student from Oxfordshire:

Barbara Speed, opinion editor at the i newspaper, urged everyone to “keep dancing”:

Literary agent Jonny Geller shared the following:

DJ and journalist Dave Haslam shared a short but powerful message that echoed the sentiments of many in Manchester:

Camden Conservative councillor Oliver Cooper shared images of a postbox in Manchester that became a symbol of strength for many after remaining unmoved during the IRA bombing attack in 1996:

BuzzFeed reporter Emily Dugan snapped this picture of a rabbi bringing tea to police working near the arena. She notes that he said, “We are Manchester. We are together.”

Bestselling author Matt Haig described a moment he shared with a taxi driver while visiting Manchester:

Twitter user Kirkland Ciccone urged people not to be afraid in the wake of the attack, but instead to “dance until you’re dizzy”:

Writer Antony Holt shared proof that Mancunians weren’t hiding at home the day after the attack:

Author Irvine Welsh, who penned the novel Trainspotting, wrote:

Twitter user Scott Nelson encouraged people to stand together in the face of the attack:

Presenter Jason Mohammad described the “love and compassion” that was being shared in the city:

Twitter user Jack Ogden shared proof that Manchester is “stronger than ever today”:

Finally, in the aftermath of the attack, Manchester residents responded with the ultimate act of defiance – by sharing love, not hate. Here are just a few of the tweets sent by residents offering to help those affected, from free taxi rides to somewhere to charge their phones:

Anyone in need of information or searching for loved ones can call the police emergency hotline: 0161 856 9400 or 0161 856 9900

Main Image: Rex