Lee Rigby's mother calls for an end to racially 'divisive' social media posts about her son

4 June 2020, 13:42

Lee Rigby was murdered in May 2013 at the age of 25 on the streets of Woolwich, London, by two Islamic extremists. Picture: PA

Lee Rigby's mother has asked for people to stop insulting her son's memory to "fuel arguments against the Black Lives Matter protests".

In a post on the Lee Rigby Foundation Facebook page, Lyn Rigby, the mother of murdered fusilier Lee, said her family were "aware of a number of posts using images of Lee and his murder in a divisive way".

She said: "Lee proudly served his country to protect the rights and freedoms of all members of this great melting pot of a nation.

"Seeing his image used to cause hate of any kind, especially for those exercising their freedoms in protest against this issue, hurts.

The family of murdered fusilier Lee Rigby arrive at the Old Bailey in London to hear the sentencing of Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale. Picture: PA

"We find these posts extremely heartbreaking and distressing, and in complete opposition to what Lee stood for."

Private Lee Rigby, of the Royal Fusiliers, was murdered in May 2013 at the age of 25 on the streets of Woolwich, London, by two Islamic extremists, Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale. They are both now serving life sentences.

Over the past few days, some social media posts from people opposed to the Black Lives Matter protests have compared his death and the reaction to it with that of George Floyd in the US.

Mrs Rigby wrote: "We ask you all to please stop using his image and memory in such posts as he was a lover of all of humanity. Every race, gender, creed, sexuality and colour.

"So seeing such use of his name harms not only his family but his legacy and memory."

Mrs Rigby added: "Our thoughts and support goes out to George Floyd's friends and family at this tragic time."

Mr Floyd died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes in Minneapolis on May 25, sparking protests throughout the US and, more recently, the UK.