Hundreds of people from around the world are posting messages of gratitude and love for a Labour MP who was shot dead yesterday.
The deadly attack on Jo Cox, which took place outside her constituency office in Birstall, West Yorkshire, shocked not only people living in the UK, but the international community.
Messages honouring Cox are flooding in from the UK, Italy, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Australia, Greece, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Oman, Qatar and many more.
The messages, posted on an avaaz.org page titled 'Jo Cox: We Will Fight For Love', will be read aloud at a vigil held in London.
Messages of love have been posted under this pledge for the MP: "Jo, we pledge to honour your beautiful life of service to humanity, by picking up the banner of love, and carrying it to our homes, our communities, our countries and our world.
"Your children will not grow up to know a darker world. The hate that took your life will not triumph. We will fight, with love, and for love, for the world we all want."
A selection of the messages of love submitted to the site are listed below:
“I was born in London 59 years ago. My father was from Mauritius, my mother is French, my husband is Italian and I like to think my son is a citizen of the world. It is thanks to people like you Jo that my siblings and I grew up feeling safe and welcome in London. I hope Britain will go on being a safe and welcoming place for citizens of the world.”
- Regine, Italy
“Jo, your death has reminded us what it is to be human, to be loving, courageous, brave, passionate, committed. It is too to be vulnerable. We weep for you, your husband and your children. Although hate has robbed us of you, Love is your enduring legacy. Thank you.”
- Miranda Wilde, United Kingdom
“Hate can kill but love will win. Thank you Jo for what you have shown. I wish there were more people like you in the world.”
- Sarka, Czech Republic
“It's rare, that a good hearted person goes into party politics. It is a shock that this happened... not only for Britain, but for the whole community who believes in equality and a peaceful world not built on greed and exploitation but on love and sharing.”
- Giri Rieger, Germany
“Jo Cox, we salute you and your tireless efforts to change the world and the lives of many people for the better by campaigning for social justice and social inclusion with love and compassion. May your example inspire love and help conquer hate in people the world over.”
- Diana Covell, Australia
“Thank you Jo for showing what a true politician should be like.”
- Dorothea Rose, United Kingdom
“Imagine there's no countries, It isn't hard to do, Nothing to kill or die for, No religion too, Imagine all the people, Living life in peace...”
- Bernard de La Brosse, France
“Jo, I did'nt know you until yesterday. But now your smiling face is following me while I'm walking through the streets of my town; while I'm teaching my students, and even - in between - while im watching a football match. I embrace that smile. I want to take it with me; with us. (sic)”
- Josef Früchtl, Netherlands
The mother-of-two, who was elected to the Commons last year, supported the campaign for Britain to remain in the European Union.
The 52-year-old man who was arrested following yesterday's attack has been named locally as Tommy Mair.
Eyewitnesses said that they heard the attacker shout "Britain first" before stabbing and shooting Cox.
Her husband, Brendan, paid tribute to his wife yesterday.
In a moving statement, Brendan Cox said: “Today is the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. More difficult, more painful, less joyful, less full of love.
"I and Jo’s friends and family are going to work every moment of our lives to love and nurture our kids and to fight against the hate that killed Jo.
“Jo believed in a better world and she fought for it every day of her life with an energy, and a zest for life that would exhaust most people.
“She would have wanted two things above all else to happen now, one that our precious children are bathed in love and two, that we all unite to fight against the hatred that killed her. Hate doesn’t have a creed, race or religion, it is poisonous.
“Jo would have no regrets about her life, she lived every day of it to the full.”
On Thursday night #ThankYourMP trended on Twitter.
Thousands used the hashtag, which was described by one person as a "thin ray of light on a dark day".
Some used it to share what they appreciated about their local representatives, while others seized it as an opportunity to celebrate democracy.
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