As security is stepped up to its highest ever levels ahead of tonight’s France vs England match, Brent Council paid tribute to the victims of the Paris attacks by lighting up its Wembley Park headquarters in red, white and blue.
The Civic Centre in Engineers Way, just a stone’s throw from Wembley Stadium, has been lit up as a mark of respect to 129 victims and 350 people left injured when a string of terrorist attacks rocked the French capital on Friday evening.
The council building has joined Wembley Stadium in displaying the colours of the French tricolore flag in a show of solidarity with those who lost their lives.
Tonight’s match is being played amid a heavy police and military presence as the the Prime Minister David Cameron, Mayor of London Boris Johnson and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expected to take their seats alongside more than 50,000 football fans.
Wembley Stadium officials have asked crowds attending to take their seats no later than 7:55pm ahead of a minute’s silence and a rendition of the French national anthem La Marsellaise.
In the wake of the terrorist atrocities, the council has expressed its condolences to the French capital.
Cllr Muhammed Butt, leader of Brent Council, said: “Many of us in Brent are feeling a profound sense of shock and sadness at events in Paris on Friday.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with our French friends and neighbours reeling from this atrocity.
“Just last month, Brent welcomed the French president to open the new French school on the site of our old town hall.
“Wembley Stadium will play host to a friendly match between England and France. Our links with our closest neighbouring capital city are deep and enduring.
“The images over the weekend of the Wembley arch lit up in the colours of the French flag will have helped express the profound solidarity that so many of us are feeling.
“I add my own thoughts and prayers to be with those who have lost family members and friends, and with those communities who are feeling this pain. We are united as a community and our sense of community only will serve to bring us closer together.
“Brent stands with you.”
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