The crushing bouquets of flowers, notes, cards and various remembrances crowded public spaces outside Parliament in London in the past few days, hauntingly familiar to scenes in Charleston a year ago after the murders at Emanuel AME Church. In England, Labour Member of Parliament Jo Cox, a supporter of Great Britain remaining as a member of the European Union, was shot and stabbed to death June 16. A rollicking week followed including a June 23 election in which 52 percent Britons voted to exit the E.U. This “Brexit” vote led Conservative Party Prime Minister David Cameron today to announce that he would step down. The vote also is rocking world markets today.
These photos taken this week in London are offered by Australian photojournalist Bill Hawker, who recently visited Charleston as shown here. Here’s what Bill said after visiting the memorial on Wednesday:
“There should not be a reason tonight for me to be editing this series of photos that I made today, let alone the possibility to have made them at all. Instead, Jo ought to have been celebrating tonight with her family on what would and should have been her 42nd birthday.
“While I may have never met or known Jo, her story and the tragic recent events have obviously touched most, especially those including me who have been involved in politics. It was an incredible experience to spend time at her memorial site today along with others — from not only across the U.K. but the world — who came together because of this senseless act.
“As Jo’s comrades, no matter where we live, all we can do is continue to campaign for justice and equality and keep her dreams alive.”
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