Events worldwide will mark day Jo Cox would have turned 42

Thousands of people are expected to attend events around the world tomorrow to celebrate what would have been Labour MP Jo Cox's birthday.
People will join together across the world to honour and remember Jo Cox who was killed last week.People will join together across the world to honour and remember Jo Cox who was killed last week.
People will join together across the world to honour and remember Jo Cox who was killed last week.

The MP shares the same birthday with Bernard Kenny, the pensioner who was injured when he stepped in to try to help her as she was shot and stabbed to death, who will be 78.

Acts of remembrance and celebration will take place in Batley Market Square at 4pm, as well as events being held in London, New York, Washington, Brussels and Naidobi.

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Organisers said: “Across the world, we will gather together to celebrate Jo’s life, her warmth, love, energy, passion, flair, Yorkshire heritage, and her belief in the humanity of every person in every place, from Batley and Spen to Aleppo and Darayya.”

The organisers said cited a line from Cox’s maiden speech in the House of Commons – “We are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us” – as inspiration for the commemoration, which is called More in Common.

In a statement they said the events are being in organised in collaboration with Mrs Cox’s family, who paid a moving tribute to the MP and campaigner along with fellow MPs from across all parties who spoke of their friend and colleague in the House of Commons yesterday afternoon.

Organisers wrote on Facebook: “Jo believed that there is more that unites us than divides us, and she was killed for those beliefs. She believed in a love that is fierce, brave and humble. Her death has devastated a family, and attacked the ideals that we as a nation most cherish.

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“But we will not be divided. We will rise up together to carry Jo’s message forward. We will meet hate with love.

“On the day Jo would have been 42, we are asking everyone, everywhere to love like Jo loved.

“Jo’s legacy is a direct challenge to everyone here, to take part, speak up and be a voice for the voiceless, to treat even those we disagree with with tolerance and genuine respect.

“Let’s honour Jo on Wednesday by carrying forward the message that she now symbolises around the world – that we have #moreincommon than that which divides us.”

The event comes as contributions to a charity fund set up in Jo Cox’s honour reaches £1million with more than 26,000 people making donations.