Helen Joanne “Jo” Cox, wife, mother of two, and member of UK Parliament, was fatally shot and stabbed by a supporter of the right radical group Britain First on Thursday, as she was leaving a meeting with her local constituents.
Known lovingly as “Jo,” Cox had only served for Parliament for 13 months before her untimely death. Cox made her maiden speech just a year ago in the House of Commons on June 3, 2015, using this opportunity to celebrate her constituency’s ethnic diversity, and stressing that her community has been deeply enhanced by immigration.
“While we celebrate our diversity, what surprises me time and time again as I travel around the constituency is that we are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us,” Cox remarks.
The conflicts stemming from the war in Syria was one of Cox’s main issues. A vocal anti-racism and pro-immigration supporter for the victims of the Syrian War, Cox launched the All Party Parliamentary Friends of Syria group, voting against the UK military intervention against ISIL, while focusing on finding “no bombing zones” for Syrians.
Cox was also a courageous parliamentary supporter of the Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East, calling for the lifting of the Israeli blockades of the Gaza Strip. She was an outspoken humanitarian, who tirelessly fought for the protection of civilians.
There has been an outpouring of support on social media for Cox, who was regularly seen at local mosques, mingling with the locals. Many are using this as an opportunity to express their grief and condolences, as well as show their support for the messages Cox stood for. She was known to the people as a genuine hero and a worthy public servant. She fought for freedom, inclusion and equality, an activist for peace amongst all race and religions. Her message will continue to live on.
May she rest in peace.
Written by Sam’n Iqbal.
Jo Cox was no heroine. She supported the eradication of her own people. Hopefully, she’s now residing in the tenth hell.